Eruvin 54

Eruvin 54

בְּטַשָׁה בֵּיהּ, אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: לֹא כָּךְ כָּתוּב ״עֲרוּכָה בַכֹּל וּשְׁמוּרָה״, אִם עֲרוּכָה בִּרְמַ״ח אֵבָרִים שֶׁלְּךָ — מִשְׁתַּמֶּרֶת, וְאִם לָאו — אֵינָהּ מִשְׁתַּמֶּרֶת. תָּנָא: תַּלְמִיד אֶחָד הָיָה לְרַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר שֶׁהָיָה שׁוֹנֶה בְּלַחַשׁ, לְאַחַר שָׁלֹשׁ שָׁנִים שָׁכַח תַּלְמוּדוֹ.

She kicked him and said to him: Isn’t it written as follows: “Ordered in all things and secure” (ii Samuel 23:5), which indicates that if the Torah is ordered in your 248 limbs, i.e., if you exert your entire body in studying it, it will be secure, and if not, it will not be secure. The Gemara relates that it was similarly taught in a baraita: Rabbi Eliezer had a student who would study quietly, and after three years he forgot his studies.

תָּנָא, תַּלְמִיד אֶחָד הָיָה לוֹ לְרַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר שֶׁנִּתְחַיֵּיב בִּשְׂרֵיפָה לַמָּקוֹם. אָמְרוּ: הַנִּיחוּ לוֹ אָדָם גָּדוֹל שִׁמֵּשׁ.

Incidental to the story cited above involving a student of Rabbi Eliezer, the Gemara cites the following episode: It was taught in a baraita: Rabbi Eliezer had a student who was liable for the punishment of death by burning, for his sins against God, but the Rabbis said: Let him alone and do not punish him as he deserves, because he served a great person.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ שְׁמוּאֵל לְרַב יְהוּדָה: שִׁינָּנָא, פְּתַח פּוּמָּיךְ קְרִי, פְּתַח פּוּמָּיךְ תְּנִי, כִּי הֵיכִי דְּתִתְקַיַּים בָּיךְ וְתוֹרִיךְ חַיֵּי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי חַיִּים הֵם לְמֹצְאֵיהֶם וּלְכׇל בְּשָׂרוֹ מַרְפֵּא״, אַל תִּקְרֵי ״לְמֹצְאֵיהֶם״ אֶלָּא ״לְמוֹצִיאֵיהֶם בַּפֶּה״.

The Gemara cites instructions issued by Shmuel that are similar to those of Berurya. Shmuel said to Rav Yehuda: Keen scholar [shinnana], open your mouth and read from the Torah, open your mouth and study the Talmud, in order that your studies should endure in you and that you should live a long life, as it is stated: “For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh” (Proverbs 4:22). Do not read: “To those who find them [lemotzeihem],” but rather “to those who express them [lemotzi’eihem],” with their mouth.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ שְׁמוּאֵל לְרַב יְהוּדָה: שִׁינָּנָא, חֲטוֹף וֶאֱכוֹל חֲטוֹף וְאִישְׁתִּי, דְּעָלְמָא דְּאָזְלִינַן מִינֵּיהּ כְּהִלּוּלָא דָּמֵי.

The Gemara cites additional instructions issued by Shmuel: Shmuel said to Rav Yehuda, his beloved student: Keen scholar, grab and eat, grab and drink, as the world from which we are departing is like a wedding feast, whose joy is only temporary, and one who does not take pleasure in it now will not be able to do so in the future.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב לְרַב הַמְנוּנָא: בְּנִי אִם יֵשׁ לָךְ — הֵיטֵב לָךְ, שֶׁאֵין בַּשְּׁאוֹל תַּעֲנוּג, וְאֵין לַמָּוֶת הִתְמַהְמֵהַּ. וְאִם תֹּאמַר אַנִּיחַ לְבָנַי — חוֹק בַּשְּׁאוֹל מִי יַגִּיד לָךְ: בְּנֵי הָאָדָם דּוֹמִים לְעִשְׂבֵי הַשָּׂדֶה הַלָּלוּ נוֹצְצִין וְהַלָּלוּ נוֹבְלִין.

Similarly, Rav said to Rav Hamnuna: My son, if you have money, do well for yourself. There is no point waiting, as there is no pleasure in the netherworld, and death does not tarry. And if you say: I will save up in order to leave for my children, who told you the law of the netherworld, i.e., how do you know which of you will die first (Arukh)? People are similar to grass of the field, in that these blossom, i.e., grow, and their actions are blessed, and these wither and die.

אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: הַמְהַלֵּךְ בַּדֶּרֶךְ וְאֵין עִמּוֹ לְוָיָיה — יַעֲסוֹק בַּתּוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי לִוְיַת חֵן הֵם״.

Having expounded the verse “For they are life to those who find them” as referring to the Torah, the Gemara cites another teaching related to this verse that praises the Torah. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: One who is walking along the way without a companion and is afraid should engage in Torah study, as it is stated with regard to the words of Torah: “For they shall be a graceful wreath [livyat ḥen] for your head, and chains about your neck” (Proverbs 1:9). The word livyat is understood here as a reference to levaya, accompaniment, so that the verse is interpreted to mean that Torah is a graceful accompaniment to one who is traveling.

חָשׁ בְּרֹאשׁוֹ — יַעֲסוֹק בְּתוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי לִוְיַת חֵן הֵם לְרֹאשֶׁךָ״. חָשׁ בִּגְרוֹנוֹ — יַעֲסוֹק בַּתּוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַעֲנָקִים לְגַרְגְּרוֹתֶיךָ״. חָשׁ בְּמֵעָיו — יַעֲסוֹק בַּתּוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״רִפְאוּת תְּהִי לְשָׁרֶּךָ״. חָשׁ בְּעַצְמוֹתָיו — יַעֲסוֹק בַּתּוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְשִׁקּוּי לְעַצְמוֹתֶיךָ״. חָשׁ בְּכׇל גּוּפוֹ — יַעֲסוֹק בַּתּוֹרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּלְכׇל בְּשָׂרוֹ מַרְפֵּא״.

One who feels pain in his head should engage in Torah study, as it is stated: “For they shall be a graceful wreath for your head.” One who feels pain in his throat should engage in Torah study, as it is stated: “And chains about your neck.” One who feels pain in his intestines should engage in Torah study, as it is stated: “It shall be health to your navel” (Proverbs 3:8). One who feels pain in his bones should engage in Torah study, as it is stated: “And marrow to your bones” (Proverbs 3:8). One who feels pain in his entire body should engage in Torah study, as it is stated: “And health to all their flesh” (Proverbs 4:22).

אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה בְּרַבִּי חִיָּיא: בֹּא וּרְאֵה, שֶׁלֹּא כְּמִדַּת הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מִדַּת בָּשָׂר וְדָם. מִדַּת בָּשָׂר וָדָם: אָדָם נוֹתֵן סַם לַחֲבֵירוֹ — לָזֶה יָפֶה, וְלָזֶה קָשֶׁה. אֲבָל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אֵינוֹ כֵּן: נָתַן תּוֹרָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל — סַם חַיִּים לְכׇל גּוּפוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּלְכׇל בְּשָׂרוֹ מַרְפֵּא״.

Rav Yehuda, son of Rabbi Ḥiyya, said: Come and see that the attribute of flesh and blood is unlike the attribute of the Holy One, Blessed be He. The attribute of flesh and blood is that when a person gives a drug to his fellow, it is good for this part of his body and it is harmful to that other part of his body. But the attribute of the Holy One, Blessed be He, is not so; He gave the Torah to the Jewish people, and it is a drug of life for one’s entire body, as it is stated: “And health to all their flesh.”

אָמַר רַב אַמֵּי: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״כִּי נָעִים כִּי תִשְׁמְרֵם בְּבִטְנֶךָ יִכּוֹנוּ יַחְדָּיו עַל שְׂפָתֶיךָ״, אֵימָתַי דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה נְעִימִים — בִּזְמַן שֶׁתִּשְׁמְרֵם בְּבִטְנֶךָ, וְאֵימָתַי תִּשְׁמְרֵם בְּבִטְנֶךָ — בִּזְמַן שֶׁיִּכּוֹנוּ יַחְדָּו עַל שְׂפָתֶיךָ.

The Gemara continues with praise for Torah study and knowledge. Rav Ami said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; let them be firmly attached together to your lips” (Proverbs 22:18)? When are words of Torah pleasant? When you keep them within you and know them. And when will you keep them within you? When they will be attached together to your lips, i.e., when you articulate them audibly and expound them.

רַבִּי זֵירָא אָמַר מֵהָכָא: ״שִׂמְחָה לָאִישׁ בְּמַעֲנֵה פִיו וְדָבָר בְּעִתּוֹ מַה טּוֹב״, אֵימָתַי שִׂמְחָה לָאִישׁ — בִּזְמַן שֶׁמַּעֲנֶה בְּפִיו. לָשׁוֹן אַחֵר: אֵימָתַי שִׂמְחָה לָאִישׁ בְּמַעֲנֵה פִיו — בִּזְמַן שֶׁדָּבָר בְּעִתּוֹ מַה טּוֹב.

Rabbi Zeira said that this idea is derived from here: “A man has joy in the answer of his mouth; and a word in due season, how good it is” (Proverbs 15:23). When does a man have joy? When an answer related to Torah study is in his mouth. Another version: When does a man have joy in the answer of his mouth? When he experiences the fulfillment of: A word in due season, how good it is, i.e., when he knows when and how to address each issue.

רַבִּי יִצְחָק אָמַר מֵהָכָא: ״כִּי קָרוֹב אֵלֶיךָ הַדָּבָר מְאֹד בְּפִיךָ וּבִלְבָבְךָ לַעֲשׂוֹתוֹ״, אֵימָתַי קָרוֹב אֵלֶיךָ — בִּזְמַן שֶׁבְּפִיךָ וּבִלְבָבְךָ לַעֲשׂוֹתוֹ.

Rabbi Yitzḥak said that this idea is derived from here: “But the matter is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it” (Deuteronomy 30:14). When is it very near to you? When it is in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it, i.e., when you articulate your Torah study.

רָבָא אָמַר מֵהָכָא: ״תַּאֲוַת לִבּוֹ נָתַתָּה לּוֹ וַאֲרֶשֶׁת שְׂפָתָיו בַּל מָנַעְתָּ סֶּלָה״, אֵימָתַי תַּאֲוַת לִבּוֹ נָתַתָּה לּוֹ — בִּזְמַן שֶׁאֲרֶשֶׁת שְׂפָתָיו בַּל מָנַעְתָּ סֶּלָה.

Rava said that this idea is actually derived from here: “You have given him his heart’s desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips, Selah” (Psalms 21:3). When have You given him his heart’s desire? When You have not withheld the request of his lips, Selah, i.e., when he converses in words of Torah.

רָבָא רָמֵי: כְּתִיב ״תַּאֲוַת לִבּוֹ נָתַתָּה לּוֹ״. וּכְתִיב ״וַאֲרֶשֶׁת שְׂפָתָיו בַּל מָנַעְתָּ סֶּלָה״. זָכָה — תַּאֲוַת לִבּוֹ נָתַתָּה לוֹ. לֹא זָכָה — וַאֲרֶשֶׁת שְׂפָתָיו בַּל מָנַעְתָּ סֶּלָה.

Rava raised an internal contradiction in that very verse: In the beginning of the verse it is written: “You have given him his heart’s desire,” implying that it is enough for one to request in his heart, whereas in the end of the verse it is written: “And You have not withheld the request of his lips, Selah,” indicating that one must express his prayers verbally. Rava himself resolved the contradiction: If one is fortunate, “You have given him his heart’s desire,” even if he does not give verbal expression to his wants. But if he is not fortunate, at least “You have not withheld the request of his lips, Selah.”

תָּנָא דְּבֵי רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב: כׇּל מָקוֹם שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״נֶצַח״ ״סֶלָה״ ״וָעֶד״ — אֵין לוֹ הֶפְסֵק עוֹלָמִית. נֶצַח, דִּכְתִיב: ״כִּי לֹא לְעוֹלָם אָרִיב וְלֹא לָנֶצַח אֶקְּצוֹף״.

With regard to the end of this verse, a Sage of the school of Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya’akov taught the following baraita: Wherever it states netzaḥ, Selah, or va’ed, the matter will never cease. Netzaḥ, as it is written: “For I will not contend forever; neither will I be eternally [lanetzaḥ] angry” (Isaiah 57:16), which demonstrates that netzaḥ bears a similar meaning to forever.

סֶלָה, דִּכְתִיב: ״כַּאֲשֶׁר שָׁמַעְנוּ כֵּן רָאִינוּ בְּעִיר ה׳ צְבָאוֹת בְּעִיר אֱלֹהֵינוּ אֱלֹהִים יְכוֹנְנֶהָ עַד עוֹלָם סֶלָה״. וָעֶד, דִּכְתִיב: ״ה׳ יִמְלוֹךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד״.

Selah, as it is written: “As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of Hosts, in the city of our God; may God establish it forever, Selah” (Psalms 48:9), which demonstrates that Selah means forever. Va’ed, as it is written: “The Lord shall reign forever and ever [va’ed]” (Exodus 15:18).

(סִימָן: ״עֲנָקִים״ ״לְחָיָיו״ ״לוּחוֹת״ ״חָרוּת״). אָמַר רַבִּי (אֱלִיעֶזֶר): מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״וַעֲנָקִים לְגַרְגְּרוֹתֶיךָ״, אִם מֵשִׂים אָדָם עַצְמוֹ כַּעֲנָק זֶה שֶׁרָף עַל הַצַּוָּאר וְנִרְאֶה וְאֵינוֹ נִרְאֶה — תַּלְמוּדוֹ מִתְקַיֵּים בְּיָדוֹ. וְאִם לָאו — אֵין תַּלְמוּדוֹ מִתְקַיֵּים בְּיָדוֹ.

In light of the previous discussion, the Gemara cites several expositions of verses proposed by Rabbi Eliezer, while first providing them with a mnemonic: Chains, cheeks, tablets, engraved. Rabbi Eliezer said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “And chains about your neck” (Proverbs 1:9)? If a person makes himself like a chain that hangs loosely on the neck, i.e., if a scholar is not pushy and disruptive to others, and he is also seen but not seen, i.e., just as a chain is covered by clothes and hair, so too, the scholar does not let himself be seen, his Torah study will endure. But if not, if he acts in a rude and arrogant manner, his Torah study will not endure.

וְאָמַר רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״לְחָיָו כַּעֲרוּגַת הַבּוֹשֶׂם״, אִם מֵשִׂים אָדָם עַצְמוֹ כַּעֲרוּגָה זוֹ שֶׁהַכֹּל דָּשִׁין בָּהּ, וּכְבוֹשֶׂם זֶה שֶׁהַכֹּל מִתְבַּשְּׂמִין בָּהּ — תַּלְמוּדוֹ מִתְקַיֵּים, וְאִם לָאו — אֵין תַּלְמוּדוֹ מִתְקַיֵּים.

And Rabbi Eliezer also said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “His cheeks are like a bed of spices” (Song of Songs 5:13)? If a person makes himself humble like this garden bed upon which everyone treads, and like this spice with which everyone perfumes himself, i.e., which benefits not only the one who wears it, his Torah study will endure. But if not, his Torah study will not endure.

וְאָמַר רַבִּי (אֱלִיעֶזֶר): מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״לוּחוֹת אֶבֶן״, אִם אָדָם מֵשִׂים עַצְמוֹ אֶת לְחָיָיו כְּאֶבֶן זוֹ שֶׁאֵינָהּ נִמְחֵית — תַּלְמוּדוֹ מִתְקַיֵּים בְּיָדוֹ, וְאִם לָאו — אֵין תַּלְמוּדוֹ מִתְקַיֵּים בְּיָדוֹ.

And Rabbi Eliezer further said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Tablets [luḥot] of stone” (Exodus 31:18)? If a person makes his cheeks [leḥayav] like this stone that does not wear away, his Torah study will endure. But if not, i.e., if he is not diligent in his studies, his Torah study will not endure.

וְאָמַר רַבִּי (אֱלִיעֶזֶר): מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״חָרוּת עַל הַלּוּחוֹת״, אִלְמָלֵי לֹא נִשְׁתַּבְּרוּ לוּחוֹת הָרִאשׁוֹנוֹת — לֹא נִשְׁתַּכְּחָה תּוֹרָה מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל.

And, lastly, Rabbi Eliezer said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “And the tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved upon the tablets” (Exodus 32:16)? This teaches that had the first tablets, the subject of this verse, not been broken, the Torah would never have been forgotten from the Jewish people, as the Torah would have been engraved upon their hearts.

רַב אַחָא בַּר יַעֲקֹב אָמַר: אֵין כׇּל אוּמָּה וְלָשׁוֹן שׁוֹלֶטֶת בָּהֶן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״חָרוּת״ — אַל תִּיקְרֵי ״חָרוּת״, אֶלָּא חֵירוּת.

Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov said: Had the tablets not been broken, no nation or tongue would ever have ruled over them, as it is stated: “Engraved”; do not read it engraved [ḥarut] but rather freedom [ḥeirut].

אָמַר רַב מַתְנָה: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״וּמִמִּדְבָּר מַתָּנָה״, אִם מֵשִׂים אָדָם עַצְמוֹ כְּמִדְבָּר זֶה שֶׁהַכֹּל דָּשִׁין בּוֹ — תַּלְמוּדוֹ מִתְקַיֵּים בְּיָדוֹ. וְאִם לָאו — אֵין תַּלְמוּדוֹ מִתְקַיֵּים בְּיָדוֹ.

Similarly, Rav Mattana said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “The well that the princes dug out, that the nobles of the people delved, with the scepter, with their staves. And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah” (Numbers 21:18)? If a person makes himself humble like this wilderness, which is open to all and upon which everyone treads, his Torah study will endure and be given to him as a gift [mattana]. And if not, his Torah study will not endure.

רָבָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב יוֹסֵף בַּר חָמָא הֲוָה לֵיהּ מִלְּתָא לְרַב יוֹסֵף בַּהֲדֵיהּ, כִּי מְטָא מַעֲלֵי יוֹמָא דְכִיפּוּרֵי אֲמַר: אֵיזִיל וַאֲפַיְּיסֵיהּ. אֲזַל, אַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ לְשַׁמָּעֵיהּ דְּקָא מָזֵיג לֵיהּ כָּסָא. אֲמַר: הַב לִי וְאֶימְזְגֵיהּ אֲנָא. יְהַב לֵיהּ, מַזְגֵיהּ. כִּדְטַעְמֵיהּ אָמַר: דָּמֵי הַאי מְזִיגָא לִמְזִיגָא דְּרָבָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב יוֹסֵף בַּר חָמָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אֲנָא הוּא.

The Gemara relates that Rav Yosef had a grievance against Rava, son of Rav Yosef bar Ḥama, who is usually referred to in the Gemara simply as Rava, and as a result of the grievance the two would never meet. When the eve of Yom Kippur arrived, Rava said: I will go and appease him. He went and found Rav Yosef’s attendant mixing him a cup of wine. He said to the attendant: Give it to me, and I will mix it. He gave it to Rava, and Rava mixed it. Rav Yosef was blind and could not see his visitor, but when he tasted the wine he said: This mixture is similar to the mixture of Rava, son of Rav Yosef bar Ḥama, who would add extra water to the wine. Rava said to him: It is I.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לָא תִּתֵּיב אַכַּרְעָיךָ עַד דִּמְפָרְשַׁתְּ לִי הָנֵי קְרָאֵי. מַאי דִּכְתִיב: ״וּמִמִּדְבָּר מַתָּנָה וּמִמַּתָּנָה נַחֲלִיאֵל וּמִנַּחֲלִיאֵל בָּמוֹת וּמִבָּמוֹת הַגַּיְא״?

Rav Yosef said to him: Do not sit on your knees until you have explained these verses to me: What is the meaning of that which is written: “And from the wilderness to Mattanah; and from Mattanah to Nahaliel; and from Nahaliel to Bamoth; and from Bamoth to the valley in the field of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looks out toward the desert” (Numbers 21:19–20)?

אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִם אָדָם מֵשִׂים עַצְמוֹ כְּמִדְבָּר זֶה שֶׁהַכֹּל דָּשִׁין בּוֹ — תּוֹרָה נִיתְּנָה לוֹ בְּמַתָּנָה. וְכֵיוָן שֶׁנִּיתְּנָה לוֹ בְּמַתָּנָה — נְחָלוֹ אֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּמִמַּתָּנָה נַחֲלִיאֵל״. וְכֵיוָן שֶׁנְּחָלוֹ אֵל — עוֹלֶה לִגְדוּלָּה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּמִנַּחֲלִיאֵל בָּמוֹת״.

Rava said to him: If a person makes himself humble like this wilderness, which is open to all and upon which everyone treads, the Torah will be given to him as a gift [mattana]. And once it is given to him as a gift, he inherits it [neḥalo] and God [El] makes it His inheritance, as it is stated: “And from Mattanah to Nahaliel.” And once God has made it His inheritance, he rises to greatness, as it is stated: “And from Nahaliel to Bamoth,” which means heights.

וְאִם מֵגֵיס לִבּוֹ — הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מַשְׁפִּילוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּמִבָּמוֹת הַגַּיְא״. וְאִם חוֹזֵר בּוֹ — הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מַגְבִּיהוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כׇּל גֶּיא יִנָּשֵׂא״.

And if he becomes haughty, the Holy One, Blessed be He, lowers him, as it is stated: “And from Bamoth to the valley.” And if he repents, the Holy One, Blessed be He, raises him back up, as it is stated: “Every valley shall be exalted” (Isaiah 40:4).

אָמַר רַב הוּנָא: מַאי דִּכְתִיב: ״חַיָּתְךָ יָשְׁבוּ בָהּ תָּכִין בְּטוֹבָתְךָ לֶעָנִי אֱלֹהִים״, אִם אָדָם מֵשִׂים עַצְמוֹ כְּחַיָּה זוֹ שֶׁדּוֹרֶסֶת וְאוֹכֶלֶת, וְאִיכָּא דְּאָמְרִי שֶׁמַּסְרַחַת וְאוֹכֶלֶת — תַּלְמוּדוֹ מִתְקַיֵּים בְּיָדוֹ. וְאִם לָאו — אֵין תַּלְמוּדוֹ מִתְקַיֵּים בְּיָדוֹ. וְאִם עוֹשֶׂה כֵּן — הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עוֹשֶׂה לוֹ סְעוּדָה בְּעַצְמוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״תָּכִין בְּטוֹבָתְךָ לֶעָנִי אֱלֹהִים״.

Rav Huna said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Your flock found a dwelling in it; You, O God, prepare of Your goodness for the poor” (Psalms 68:11)? If a person makes himself like an animal that tramples its prey and eats it immediately, without being particular about its food, i.e., if a scholar immediately reviews what he has heard from his teacher; and some say, like an animal that soils and eats, i.e., if a scholar is not particular about maintaining his honor during his Torah study, just as an animal is not particular about the quality of its food, his Torah study will endure. And if not, his Torah study will not endure. And if he does so, the Holy One, Blessed be He, will Himself prepare him a feast, as it is stated: “You, O God, prepare of Your goodness for the poor,” indicating that God in His goodness will Himself prepare a feast for that pauper.

אָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״נוֹצֵר תְּאֵנָה יֹאכַל פִּרְיָהּ״, לָמָּה נִמְשְׁלוּ דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה כִּתְאֵנָה, מָה תְּאֵנָה זוֹ

Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “He who guards the fig tree shall eat its fruit” (Proverbs 27:18)? Why were matters of Torah compared to a fig tree? Just as this fig tree,

כׇּל זְמַן שֶׁאָדָם מְמַשְׁמֵשׁ בָּהּ — מוֹצֵא בָּהּ תְּאֵנִים. אַף דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה, כׇּל זְמַן שֶׁאָדָם הוֹגֶה בָּהֶן — מוֹצֵא בָּהֶן טַעַם.

whenever a person searches it for figs to eat, he finds figs in it, as the figs on a tree do not ripen all at once, so that one can always find a recently ripened fig, so too, with matters of Torah. Whenever a person meditates upon them, he finds in them new meaning.

אָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״אַיֶּלֶת אֲהָבִים וְיַעֲלַת חֵן וְגוֹ׳״, לָמָּה נִמְשְׁלוּ דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה לְאַיֶּלֶת? לוֹמַר לָךְ: מָה אַיָּלָה רַחְמָהּ צַר, וַחֲבִיבָה עַל בּוֹעֲלָהּ כׇּל שָׁעָה וְשָׁעָה כְּשָׁעָה רִאשׁוֹנָה — אַף דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה חֲבִיבִין עַל לוֹמְדֵיהֶן כׇּל שָׁעָה וְשָׁעָה כְּשָׁעָה רִאשׁוֹנָה.

Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “A loving hind and a graceful roe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times, and be you ravished always with her love” (Proverbs 5:19)? Why were matters of Torah compared to a hind? To tell you that just as with a hind, its womb is narrow and it is cherished by its mate each and every hour like the first hour, so too, matters of Torah are cherished by those who study them each and every hour like the first hour.

״וְיַעֲלַת חֵן״ — שֶׁמַּעֲלָת חֵן עַל לוֹמְדֶיהָ. ״דַּדֶּיהָ יְרַוֻּךָ בְכׇל עֵת״ — לָמָּה נִמְשְׁלוּ דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה כְּדַד? מָה דַּד זֶה כׇּל זְמַן שֶׁהַתִּינוֹק מְמַשְׁמֵשׁ בּוֹ — מוֹצֵא בּוֹ חָלָב, אַף דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה, כׇּל זְמַן שֶׁאָדָם הוֹגֶה בָּהֶן — מוֹצֵא בָּהֶן טַעַם.

“And a graceful roe” is expounded as follows: That the Torah bestows grace upon those who study it. “Let her breasts satisfy you at all times”; why were matters of Torah compared to a breast? Just as with a breast, whenever a baby searches it for milk to suckle, he finds milk in it, so too, with matters of Torah. Whenever a person meditates upon them, he finds new meaning in them.

״בְּאַהֲבָתָהּ תִּשְׁגֶּה תָּמִיד״ — כְּגוֹן רַבִּי (אֱלִיעֶזֶר) בֶּן פְּדָת. אָמְרוּ עָלָיו עַל רַבִּי (אֱלִיעֶזֶר) שֶׁהָיָה יוֹשֵׁב וְעוֹסֵק בַּתּוֹרָה בַּשּׁוּק הַתַּחְתּוֹן שֶׁל צִיפּוֹרִי, וּסְדִינוֹ מוּטָל בַּשּׁוּק הָעֶלְיוֹן שֶׁל צִיפּוֹרִי. (תַּנְיָא) אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר: פַּעַם אַחַת בָּא אָדָם לִיטְּלוֹ, וּמָצָא בּוֹ שָׂרָף.

“And be you ravished always with her love”; your love for Torah should always distract you from worldly matters, as was the case with Rabbi Elazar ben Pedat. They said of him, of Rabbi Elazar, that he would sit and engage in Torah study in the lower marketplace of Tzippori, and his cloak was lying in the upper marketplace of Tzippori. His mind was so focused on Torah study that he would act in this unusual manner. In this regard, the Gemara relates that it was taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yitzḥak ben Elazar said: One time a person came to take this cloak for himself and found a serpent on it guarding it.

תָּנָא דְּבֵי רַב עָנָן: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״רוֹכְבֵי אֲתוֹנוֹת צְחוֹרוֹת יוֹשְׁבֵי עַל מִדִּין [וְהוֹלְכֵי עַל דֶּרֶךְ שִׂיחוּ]״, ״רוֹכְבַי אֲתוֹנוֹת״ — אֵלּוּ תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים, שֶׁמְּהַלְּכִין מֵעִיר לְעִיר וּמִמְּדִינָה לִמְדִינָה לִלְמוֹד (בּוֹ) תּוֹרָה. ״צְחוֹרוֹת״ — שֶׁעוֹשִׂין אוֹתָהּ כְּצָהֳרַיִם. ״יֹשְׁבֵי עַל מִדִּין״ — שֶׁדָּנִין דִּין אֱמֶת לַאֲמִיתּוֹ. ״וְהוֹלְכֵי״ — אֵלּוּ בַּעֲלֵי מִקְרָא. ״עַל דֶּרֶךְ״ — אֵלּוּ בַּעֲלֵי מִשְׁנָה. ״שִׂיחוּ״ — אֵלּוּ בַּעֲלֵי תַלְמוּד, שֶׁכׇּל שִׂיחָתָן דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה.

In further praise of the Torah and those who study it, a Sage of the school of Rav Anan taught: What is the meaning of that which is written: “You that ride on white donkeys, you that sit on rich cloths, and you that walk by the way, tell of it” (Judges 5:10)? “You that ride on white donkeys”; these are Torah scholars, who travel from city to city and from province to province to study Torah. “White [tzeḥorot]” are those who make it clear as noon [tzahorayim], i.e., who make the Torah comprehensible. “You that sit on couches [midin]” refers to those who judge [danin] an absolutely true judgment. “And you that walk”; these are the masters of Bible, who are the least important of the scholars. “By the way”; these are the more important masters of Mishna. “Tell of it”; these are the masters of Talmud, the most important of all, as all their conversation is about matters of Torah.

אָמַר רַב שֵׁיזְבִי מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן עֲזַרְיָה: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״לֹא יַחֲרוֹךְ רְמִיָּה צֵידוֹ״ — לֹא יִחְיֶה וְלֹא יַאֲרִיךְ יָמִים צַיָּיד הָרַמַּאי.

The Gemara continues with this topic: Rav Sheizvi said in the name of Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya: What is the meaning of that which is written: “The slothful man [remiyya] will not roast [yaḥarokh] his catch” (Proverbs 12:27)? The deceitful [rammai] hunter will not live [yiḥyeh] a long life [ya’arikh]. A deceitful hunter continues to hunt more and more animals without holding on to the animals he has already caught. Similarly, someone who continues to study new material without reviewing what he has already learned will not be successful.

רַב שֵׁשֶׁת אָמַר: צַיָּיד הָרַמַּאי יַחֲרוֹךְ?

Rav Sheshet said: Will a deceitful hunter have something to roast? One who acts in this way is a fool, but it is hard to describe him as deceitful.

כִּי אֲתָא רַב דִּימִי, אָמַר: מָשָׁל לְצַיָּיד שֶׁצָּד צִפֳּרִים, אִם רִאשׁוֹן רִאשׁוֹן מְשַׁבֵּר כְּנָפָיו — מִשְׁתַּמֵּר, וְאִם לָאו — אֵין מִשְׁתַּמֵּר.

When Rav Dimi came from Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia, he said: This is comparable to a hunter who is hunting birds; if he breaks the wings of the birds one by one as he captures them so that they will be unable to fly off again, his prey will be secured, and if not, they will not be secured. According to this explanation, the word rammai is interpreted as cunning rather than deceitful. A cunning hunter secures his prey; similarly, a cunning student reviews each lesson and thereby retains that which he learns.

אָמַר (רַבָּה) אָמַר רַב סְחוֹרָה אָמַר רַב הוּנָא: מַאי דִּכְתִיב ״הוֹן מֵהֶבֶל יִמְעָט וְקוֹבֵץ עַל יָד יַרְבֶּה״, אִם עוֹשֶׂה אָדָם תּוֹרָתוֹ חֲבִילוֹת חֲבִילוֹת, — מִתְמַעֵט, וְאִם לָאו — קוֹבֵץ עַל יָד יַרְבֶּה.

Similarly, Rabba said that Rav Seḥora said that Rav Huna said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Wealth gotten through vanity [hevel] shall be diminished; but he that gathers little by little shall increase” (Proverbs 13:11)? If a person turns his Torah into bundles [ḥavilot, derived from the word hevel by replacing the heh with a ḥet], studying large amounts at the same time, his Torah will diminish. And if not, i.e., if he learns little by little and reviews what he has learned, he that gathers little by little shall increase.

אָמַר רַבָּה: יָדְעִי רַבָּנַן לְהָא מִלְּתָא, וְעָבְרִי עֲלַהּ. אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק: אֲנָא עֲבַדְתַּהּ, וְאִיקַּיַּים בִּידַאי.

Rabba said: The Sages know this, but nevertheless transgress it, i.e., they fail to heed this advice. Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said: I did this, learning little by little and regularly reviewing what I had learned, and my learning has indeed endured.

תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן, כֵּיצַד סֵדֶר מִשְׁנָה: מֹשֶׁה לָמַד מִפִּי הַגְּבוּרָה. נִכְנַס אַהֲרֹן, וְשָׁנָה לוֹ מֹשֶׁה פִּירְקוֹ, נִסְתַּלֵּק אַהֲרֹן וְיָשַׁב לִשְׂמֹאל מֹשֶׁה. נִכְנְסוּ בָּנָיו, וְשָׁנָה לָהֶן מֹשֶׁה פִּירְקָן. נִסְתַּלְּקוּ בָּנָיו, אֶלְעָזָר יָשַׁב לִימִין מֹשֶׁה, וְאִיתָמָר לִשְׂמֹאל אַהֲרֹן. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: לְעוֹלָם אַהֲרֹן לִימִין מֹשֶׁה חוֹזֵר. נִכְנְסוּ זְקֵנִים וְשָׁנָה לָהֶן מֹשֶׁה פִּירְקָן. נִסְתַּלְּקוּ זְקֵנִים, נִכְנְסוּ כׇּל הָעָם וְשָׁנָה לָהֶן מֹשֶׁה פִּירְקָן. נִמְצְאוּ בְּיַד אַהֲרֹן אַרְבָּעָה, בְּיַד בָּנָיו שְׁלֹשָׁה, וּבְיַד הַזְּקֵנִים שְׁנַיִם, וּבְיַד כׇּל הָעָם אֶחָד.

The Gemara continues to discuss methods of Torah study. The Sages taught the following baraita: What was the order of teaching the Oral Law? How was the Oral Law first taught? Moses learned directly from the mouth of the Almighty. Aaron entered and sat before him, and Moses taught him his lesson as he had learned it from God. Aaron moved aside and sat to the left of Moses. Aaron’s sons entered, and Moses taught them their lesson while Aaron listened. Aaron’s sons moved aside; Elazar sat to the right of Moses and Itamar sat to the left of Aaron. Rabbi Yehuda disagreed with the first tanna with regard to the seating arrangements and said: Actually, Aaron would return to sit to the right of Moses. The elders entered and Moses taught them their lesson. The elders moved aside, and the entire nation entered and Moses taught them their lesson. Therefore, Aaron had heard the lesson four times, his sons heard it three times, the elders heard it twice, and the entire nation heard it once.

נִסְתַּלֵּק מֹשֶׁה וְשָׁנָה לָהֶן אַהֲרֹן פִּירְקוֹ. נִסְתַּלֵּק אַהֲרֹן שָׁנוּ לָהֶן בָּנָיו פִּירְקָן. נִסְתַּלְּקוּ בָּנָיו, שָׁנוּ לָהֶן זְקֵנִים פִּירְקָן. נִמְצָא בְּיַד הַכֹּל אַרְבָּעָה.

Moses then departed to his tent, and Aaron taught the others his lesson as he had learned it from Moses. Aaron then departed and his sons taught the others their lesson. His sons then departed and the elders taught the rest of the people their lesson. Hence everyone, Aaron, his sons, the elders and all the people, heard the lesson taught by God four times.

מִכָּאן אָמַר רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר: חַיָּיב אָדָם לִשְׁנוֹת לְתַלְמִידוֹ אַרְבָּעָה פְּעָמִים. וְקַל וָחוֹמֶר, וּמָה אַהֲרֹן שֶׁלָּמַד מִפִּי מֹשֶׁה, וּמֹשֶׁה מִפִּי הַגְּבוּרָה — כָּךְ, הֶדְיוֹט מִפִּי הֶדְיוֹט — עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה.

From here Rabbi Eliezer said: A person is obligated to teach his student his lesson four times. And it follows by way of an a fortiori inference: If Aaron, who learned from Moses himself, and Moses had received the Torah directly from the mouth of the Almighty, needed this regimen; an ordinary student learning from the mouth of an ordinary teacher, how much more so must he review his studies four times.

רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר: מִנַּיִן שֶׁחַיָּיב אָדָם לִשְׁנוֹת לְתַלְמִידוֹ עַד שֶׁיִּלְמָדֶנּוּ — שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְלַמְּדָהּ אֶת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל״, וּמִנַּיִן עַד שֶׁתְּהֵא סְדוּרָה בְּפִיהֶם — שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״שִׂימָהּ בְּפִיהֶם״,

Rabbi Akiva says: From where do we derive that a person is obligated to teach his student until he learns the material and understands it? As it is stated: “Now therefore write this song for you, and teach it to the children of Israel; put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel” (Deuteronomy 31:19). This verse indicates that one must teach Torah to others. And from where do we derive that one must teach his students until the material is organized in their mouths? As it is stated: “Put it in their mouths,” so that they should be capable of teaching it to others.

וּמִנַּיִין שֶׁחַיָּיב לְהַרְאוֹת לוֹ פָּנִים — שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְאֵלֶּה הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים אֲשֶׁר תָּשִׂים לִפְנֵיהֶם״.

And from where do we derive that a teacher must show his students the reasons for the teachings? As it is stated: “Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them” (Exodus 21:1), which indicates that the lesson must be set out in logical fashion for the students.

וְלִיגְמְרוּ כּוּלְּהוּ מִמֹּשֶׁה! כְּדֵי לַחֲלוֹק כָּבוֹד לְאַהֲרֹן וּבָנָיו, וְכָבוֹד לַזְּקֵנִים.

With regard to the manner in which the Oral Law was taught, the Gemara asks: They should all have studied from Moses himself four times. The Gemara answers: The teaching was divided in this manner in order to give honor to Aaron and his sons, and also to give honor to the elders.

וְנֵיעוּל אַהֲרֹן וְנִיגְמַר מִמֹּשֶׁה, וְלִיעַיְילוּ בָּנָיו וְלִיגְמְרוּ מֵאַהֲרֹן, וְלִיעַיְילוּ זְקֵנִים וְלֵילְפוּ מִבָּנָיו, וְלֵיזְלוּ וְלַיגְמְרִינְהוּ לְכוּלְּהוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל! כֵּיוָן דְּמֹשֶׁה מִפִּי הַגְּבוּרָה גָּמַר, מִסְתַּיְּיעָא מִלְּתֵיהּ.

The Gemara asks why a different method was not adopted, one which would have involved less trouble for Moses: Aaron should have entered and studied from Moses; his sons should then have entered and studied from Aaron; the elders should then have entered and studied from Aaron’s sons; and then they should have gone out and taught all of the Jewish people. The Gemara answers: Since Moses had studied directly from the mouth of the Almighty, it would be more effective for everyone to hear the Torah at least once from Moses himself.

אָמַר מָר, רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: לְעוֹלָם אַהֲרֹן לִימִין מֹשֶׁה חוֹזֵר. כְּמַאן אָזְלָא הָא דְּתַנְיָא: שְׁלֹשָׁה שֶׁהָיוּ מְהַלְּכִין בַּדֶּרֶךְ — הָרַב בָּאֶמְצַע, וְגָדוֹל בִּימִינוֹ, וְקָטָן בִּשְׂמֹאלוֹ. לֵימָא רַבִּי יְהוּדָה הִיא וְלָא רַבָּנַן?

The Master said in the baraita that Rabbi Yehuda says: Actually, Aaron would return to sit to the right of Moses, i.e., no matter how many people were present Aaron always sat to Moses’ right. The Gemara asks: In accordance with whose opinion was it taught in a baraita dealing with the rules of etiquette: If three people were walking along the way, the teacher should walk in the middle and the greater of the two students should be to his right and the lesser one should be to his left? Shall we say that it is the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda and not that of the Sages? According to the Sages, the greater of the two students should be positioned to the left of the teacher so that the student’s right side faces his teacher.

אֲפִילּוּ תֵּימָא רַבָּנַן, מִשּׁוּם טִירְחָא דְאַהֲרֹן.

The Gemara answers: You can even say that this baraita was taught in accordance with the opinion of the Sages, and the reason they said that Aaron remained to Moses’ left even after the others entered is due to the trouble to Aaron if he would have to stand up and sit down again.

רַבִּי פְּרִידָא הֲוָה לֵיהּ הָהוּא תַּלְמִידָא דַּהֲוָה תָּנֵי לֵיהּ אַרְבַּע מְאָה זִימְנֵי וְגָמַר. יוֹמָא חַד בַּעְיוּהּ לְמִלְּתָא דְמִצְוָה. תְּנָא לֵיהּ וְלָא גְּמַר.

Having discussed the importance of reviewing one’s Torah study, the Gemara relates that Rabbi Perida had a certain student whom he would have to teach four hundred times, and only then would he learn the material, as he was incapable of understanding it otherwise. One day they requested Rabbi Perida’s presence for a mitzva matter after the lesson. Rabbi Perida taught his student four hundred times as usual, but this time the student did not successfully learn the material.

אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הָאִידָּנָא מַאי שְׁנָא? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מִדְּהָהִיא שַׁעְתָּא דַּאֲמַר לֵיהּ לְמָר אִיכָּא מִילְּתָא דְּמִצְוָה — אַסְּחַאי לְדַעְתַּאי, וְכׇל שַׁעְתָּא אָמֵינָא: הַשְׁתָּא קָאֵי מָר, הַשְׁתָּא קָאֵי מָר. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הַב דַּעְתָּיךְ וְאַתְנֵי לִיךְ. הֲדַר תְּנָא לֵיהּ אַרְבַּע מְאָה זִימְנֵי [אַחֲרִינֵי].

Rabbi Perida said to him: What is different now that you are unable to grasp the lesson? He said to him: From the time that they said to the Master that there is a mitzva matter for which he is needed, my mind was distracted from the lesson and every moment I said: Now the Master will get up, now the Master will get up to go and perform the mitzva and he will not complete the lesson. Rabbi Perida said to him: Pay attention this time and I will teach you, and know that I will not leave until you have fully mastered the lesson. He taught him again an additional four hundred times.

נְפַקָא בַּת קָלָא וַאֲמַר לֵיהּ: נִיחָא לָיךְ דְּלִיסְפּוֹ לָךְ אַרְבַּע מְאָה שְׁנֵי, אוֹ דְּתִיזְכּוֹ אַתְּ וְדָרָךְ לְעָלְמָא דְּאָתֵי? אָמַר: דְּנִיזְכּוֹ אֲנָא וְדָרַיי לְעָלְמָא דְּאָתֵי. אָמַר לָהֶן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: תְּנוּ לוֹ זוֹ וָזוֹ.

Due to the merit of Rabbi Perida’s great devotion to his students, a Divine Voice emerged and said to him: Is it preferable to you that four hundred years be added to your life, or that you and the rest of your generation will merit the World-to-Come? He said: I prefer that I and my generation merit the World-to-Come. The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to the angels: Give him both; he shall live a very long life and he and the rest of his generation will merit the World-to-Come.

אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: אֵין תּוֹרָה נִקְנֵית אֶלָּא בְּסִימָנִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״שִׂימָהּ בְּפִיהֶם״, אַל תִּקְרֵי ׳שִׂימָהּ׳, אֶלָּא ׳סַיְּמֶנָּהּ׳.

The Gemara continues its discussion with regard to methods of Torah study: Rav Ḥisda said: The Torah can be acquired only with mnemonic signs that aid the memory, as it is stated: “Put it in their mouths.” Do not read the phrase as: Put it [simah], but rather as: Its sign [simanah], thus indicating that mnemonic signs aid in memorizing the material.

שַׁמְעַהּ רַב תַּחְלִיפָא מִמַּעְרְבָא, אֲזַל אַמְרַהּ קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי אֲבָהוּ, אֲמַר: אַתּוּן מֵהָתָם מַתְנִיתוּ לַהּ, אֲנַן מֵהָכָא מַתְנִינַן לַהּ: ״הַצִּיבִי לָךְ צִיּוּנִים שִׂימִי לָךְ וְגוֹ׳״ — עֲשׂוּ צִיּוּנִים לַתּוֹרָה. וּמַאי מַשְׁמַע דְּהַאי צִיּוּן לִישָּׁנָא דְסִימָנָא הוּא? דִּכְתִיב: ״וְרָאָה עֶצֶם אָדָם וּבָנָה אֶצְלוֹ צִיּוּן״.

Rav Taḥalifa of the West, i.e., from Eretz Yisrael, heard this statement and went and said it before Rabbi Abbahu, who said: You learn this idea from there; we learn it from here, as the verse states: “Set up signposts [tziyyunim] for yourself; establish you markers” (Jeremiah 31:20), which is understood to mean: Establish mnemonic signs for the Torah. And from where may it be inferred that this term tziyyun denotes a sign? As it is written in a different verse: “And when they that pass through shall pass through the land, and any sees a human bone, he shall set up a sign [tziyyun] by it” (Ezekiel 39:15), i.e., a sign that there is a source of ritual impurity at that spot.

רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אָמַר, מֵהָכָא: ״אֱמוֹר לַחׇכְמָה אֲחוֹתִי אָתְּ וּמוֹדָע לַבִּינָה תִקְרָא״ — עֲשֵׂה מוֹדָעִים לַתּוֹרָה. רָבָא אָמַר: עֲשֵׂה מוֹעֲדִים לַתּוֹרָה.

Rabbi Eliezer said that we learn this same idea from here: “Say to wisdom, you are my sister, and call understanding, your kinswoman [moda]” (Proverbs 7:4), which means: Establish signs [moda’im] that convey knowledge of the Torah. Rava said with regard to this verse: Set appointed times [mo’adim] for Torah study.