Today's Daf Yomi
May 17, 2023 | ืืดื ืืืืืจ ืชืฉืคืดื
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This month's learningย is sponsored by Leah Goldford in loving memory ofย her grandmothers, Tzipporah bat Yechezkiel, Rivka Yoda Batย Dovide Tzvi, Bracha Bayla bat Beryl, her father-in-law, Chaim Gershon ben Tzvi Aryeh, her mother, Devorah Rivkah bat Tuvia Hacohen, her cousins, Avrum Baer ben Mordechai, and Sharon bat Yaakov.
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Masechet Sotah is sponsored by Ahava Leibtag in honor of Dr. Bryna Levy who helped her fall deep in love with learning.
Sotah 49 – Siyum Masechet Sotah
- For the text of the Hadran ceremony, click here.
- For more information about What is a Siyum, click here.
Siyum Masechet Sotah is sponsored by Ilana Friedman for the continued refuah shleima of Chana Sarah bat Ettel Sima. “May your trajectory of recovery continue speedily. And sponsored for the continued refuah of Yitzchak Ben Esther. You have helped so many to facilitate their recovery, may HaShem repay you in kind and restore you to good health quickly.”
Rabbi Ilai bar Yivrechia makes a number of statements regarding the power of the prayer. King David and Habakuk were both able through their prayers to improve the situation of the nation/Torah scholars. He also talks about the importance of Torah scholars speaking Torah with each other and also not fighting against each other regarding halakha. Torah scholars who study even though they struggle to make ends meet, will get rewarded. The Mishna brings a number of statements describing the difficult historical-political situation in the periods following the destruction and the loss of great leaders. It also describes all sorts of takkanot the rabbis instituted regarding wedding ceremonies in the periods during and after the destruction of the Temple, and another takkana, not to learn Greek wisdom, which came about because of a particular incident. Are there situations where this is permitted? If so, what are they? After quoting another braita describing all that was lost since the death of many of the great rabbis of then, the masechet ends on a more optimistic note with two rabbis claiming that they have the characteristics that the braita had said no longer exist once a particular rabbis had died.
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ืฉืืืืืืื ืืื ืืืืื ืืขืชืื ืืืื ืืืืจืื ืืคื ืื ืจืืื ื ืฉื ืขืืื ืืืืจ ืฉืืชื ืขืชืื ืืืคืจืข ืืื ืืื ืืงืืืชื ืฉืื ืืื ืื
who plunder, i.e., destroy, their fathersโ future judgment. When God sits in judgment of their parents, these children say before Him: Master of the Universe, because You were destined to exact punishment from our fathers in the World-to-Come for their wickedness, why did You blunt their teeth with the death of their children in their lifetimes? In this way, the death of their children atones for the fathers.
ืืืจ ืจืื ืืืืขื ืืจ ืืืจืืื ืืืืื ืชืคืืชื ืฉื ืืื ืืื ืื ืืฉืจืื ืืืืจื ืจืื ืฉื ืืืจ ืฉืืชื ืืณ ืืืจื ืืื ืืืืจ ืจืื ืืืืขื ืืจ ืืืจืืื ืืืืื ืชืคืืชื ืฉื ืืืงืืง ืืื ืฉื ื ืชืืืืื ืืืืื ืืชืืกืื ืืืืืช ืืืช ืืขืืกืงืื ืืชืืจื ืฉื ืืืจ ืืณ ืฉืืขืชื ืฉืืขื ืืจืืชื ืืณ ืคืขืื ืืงืจื ืฉื ืื ืืืืื ืื ืชืงืจื ืืงืจื ืฉื ืื ืืื ืืงืจืื ืฉื ืื
ยง Rabbi Ileโa bar Yeverekhya says: If it were not for the prayer of David for Israel to have sustenance, all Israel would be sellers of fat [revav], i.e., involved in debased occupations, as it is stated: โPlace for them mastery, O Lordโ (Psalms 9:21), that is, may God grant them dignity. And Rabbi Ileโa bar Yeverekhya also says: If it were not for the prayer of Habakkuk, two Torah scholars would have to cover themselves with a single cloak due to poverty and engage in Torah study dressed that way, as it is stated: โLord, I heard Your report and was afraid; O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the yearsโ (Habakkuk 3:2). Do not read: โIn the midst [bekerev] of the years [shanim],โ but in the closeness [bikrov] of two [shenayim]. In other words, Habakkuk prayed that God would nullify His decree of two Torah scholars having to share a single cloak.
ืืืืจ ืจืื ืืืืขื ืืจ ืืืจืืื ืฉื ื ืชืืืืื ืืืืื ืืืืืืื ืืืจื ืืืื ืืื ืืื ืืืจื ืชืืจื ืจืืืื ืืืฉืจืฃ ืืืฉ ืฉื ืืืจ ืืืื ืืื ืืืืื ืืืื ืืืืจ ืืื ื ืจืื ืืฉ ืืืืณ ืืขืื ืืืืื ืืืืืจ ืื ืืืื ืืืืืจ ืจืืืื ืืืฉืจืฃ
And Rabbi Ileโa bar Yeverekhya says: In the case of two Torah scholars who are walking along the way and there are no words of Torah between them, but they are conversing about other matters, they are deserving of being burned in fire. As it is stated with regard to Elijah and his disciple Elisha: โAnd it was as they walked along, talking, that behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire, which parted them both asunderโ (IIย Kings 2:11). The reason they were not burned by the chariot of fire is that there was speech exchanged between them, which presumably was words of Torah, but if there had been no speech, they would have been deserving of being burned by the chariot.
ืืืืจ ืจืื ืืืืขื ืืจ ืืืจืืื ืฉื ื ืชืืืืื ืืืืื ืืืจืื ืืขืืจ ืืืช ืืืื ื ืืืื ืื ืืื ืืืืื ืืื ืืช ืืืื ืืืื ืฉื ืืืจ ืื ืก ืฉืื ืจืืฆื ืืฉืจ ืืจืฆื ืืช ืจืขืื ืืืื ืืขืช ืืืื ืืขืช ืืื ืชืืจื ืฉื ืืืจ ื ืืื ืขืื ืืืื ืืืขืช
And Rabbi Ileโa bar Yeverekhya says: If there are two Torah scholars who reside in the same city and they are not pleasant to each other with regard to halakha, but are constantly fighting, one of them will die and the other one will be exiled. As it is stated: โThat the manslayer might flee there, who slays his neighbor without knowledgeโ (Deuteronomy 4:42), and โknowledgeโ means nothing other than Torah, as it is stated: โMy people are destroyed for lack of knowledgeโ (Hosea 4:6).
ืืืจ ืจืื ืืืืื ืืจืื ืืจืื ืืืื ืื ืชืืืื ืืื ืืขืืกืง ืืชืืจื ืืชืื ืืืืง ืชืคืืชื ื ืฉืืขืช ืฉื ืืืจ ืื ืขื ืืฆืืื ืืฉื ืืืจืืฉืื ืืื ืื ืชืืื ืื ืื ืืื ื ืืงืื ืืขืงื ืืฉืืขืชื ืขื ื ืืืชืื ืืชืจืื ืื ืชื ืืณ ืืื ืืื ืฆืจ ืืืื ืืืฅ
Rabbi Yehuda, son of Rabbi แธคiyya, says: With regard to any Torah scholar who engages in Torah study while experiencing the pressure of poverty, his prayer is listened to, as it is stated: โFor, O people that dwells in Zion at Jerusalem, you shall weep no more; He will surely be gracious to you at the voice of your cry. When He shall hear, He will answer youโ (Isaiah 30:19), and after it is written: โAnd the Lord shall give you sparse bread and scant waterโ (Isaiah 30:20). This verse indicates that those who sit and study Torah, that is, the people who dwell in Zion, and eat bread sparingly, will have their prayers answered by God.
ืจืื ืืืื ืืืืจ ืืฉืืืขืื ืืืชื ืืืื ืฉืืื ื ืฉื ืืืจ ืืืื ืขืื ืื ืจืืืช ืืช ืืืจืื ืจืื ืืื ืืจ ืื ืื ื ืืืจ ืืฃ ืืื ืืคืจืืื ื ื ืขื ืืคื ืื ืฉื ืืืจ ืืื ืืื ืฃ ืขืื ืืืจืื:
Rabbi Abbahu says: A Torah scholar who engages in Torah study despite economic pressures is satiated with the glory of the Divine Presence, as it is stated in the same verse, above: โAnd your eyes shall behold your Teacher.โ Rabbi Aแธฅa, son of แธคanina, said: Even the concealing partition [pargod] before the Divine Presence is not locked before him, as it is stated: โAnd your Teacher shall not hide Himself anymoreโ (Isaiah 30:20).
ืจืื ืฉืืขืื ืื ืืืืืื ืืืืจ ืืฉืื ืจืื ืืืืฉืข ืืืื ืฉืืจื ืืืช ืืืงืืฉ ืืื ืืืืณ: ืืืจ ืจืื ืืื ืืื ืืืื ืืจืืื ืงืืืชื ืืฉื ืืืืจื ืฉื ืืืจ ืืืงืจ ืชืืืจ ืื ืืชื ืขืจื ืืืขืจื ืชืืืจ ืื ืืชื ืืงืจ ืื ืืงืจ ืืืืืื ืืงืจ ืืืืืจ ืื ืืืข ืืื ืืื ืืื ืืืืืฃ
ยง The mishna states that Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel says in the name of Rabbi Yehoshua: From the day that the Temple was destroyed, there is no day that does not include some form of curse. Rava says: Each and every day is more cursed than the previous one, as it is stated in the chapter detailing the curses in the book of Deuteronomy: โIn the morning you will say, would that it were evening, and in the evening you will say, would that it were morningโ (Deuteronomy 28:67). It is unclear which morning the verse means. If we say that in the evening he will wish it would be the following morning, does he know what will be the outcome of the next morning, which would cause him to yearn for its arrival? Rather, it must mean the morning that has passed; that is, in the evening they will pine for the previous morning, because their situation is continuously worsening.
ืืืื ืขืืื ืืืื ืงื ืืงืืื ืืงืืืฉื ืืกืืืจื ืืืืื ืฉืืื ืจืื ืืืืืชื ืฉื ืืืจ ืืจืฅ ืขืคืชื ืืื ืืคื ืฆืืืืช ืืื ืกืืจืื ืื ืืฉ ืกืืจืื ืชืืคืืข ืืืืคื:
The Gemara poses a question: But if everything is deteriorating, why does the world continue to exist? The Gemara answers: By the sanctification that is said in the order of prayers, after the passage that begins: And a redeemer shall come to Israel, which includes the recitation and translation of the sanctification said by the angels, and by the response: Let His great name be blessed, etc., which is recited after the study of aggada. As it is stated: โA land of thick darkness, as darkness itself; a land of the shadow of death, without any orderโ (Job 10:22). Therefore, it can be inferred from this verse that if there are orders of prayer and study, the land shall appear from amidst the darkness.
ืืื ืืจื ืื ืืืจืื ืื ืืื ืืขื ืคืืจืืช ืืืืณ: ืชื ืื ืจืื ืฉืืขืื ืื ืืืขืืจ ืืืืจ ืืืจื ืืืื ืืขื ืืจืื ืืขืฉืจ ืืืื ืฉืืื ืืื
ยง The mishna taught that since the destruction of the Temple, dew has not descended for a blessing, and the taste has been removed from fruit. It is taught in a baraita: Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says: The lost purity has removed the taste and the aroma; the tithes that were not separated have removed the fat of grain.
ืจื ืืื ื ืืฉืื ืชืืืจืชื ืืืื ืื ืืชื ืฉืงืื ืืจืื ืืกืืืจืื ืืชื ืจืื ืืจืื ืืืจ ืืื ืืืจืืื ื ืจืืื ืืืื ืื ืืชื ืืืจ ืืื ืื ื ืืืจื ืืฉ ืื ืืืื ื ืืืืื ืืืืื ืืชื ืืื ืืจืื ืฉืงืื ืืืื ื ืืืืื ืืืจ ืืื ืื ื ืฉืืืช ืืช ืืื ืืืงืืืชื ืืช ืฉืื ื ืืืื ื ืืืืจื ืืื ืฉื ืจืืื ืืืื ืืื ื ืจืืื ืืื ื ืืื ื ืืืื ืืื
The Gemara relates that Rav Huna found a fragrant date. He took it and wrapped it in his shawl. Rabba, his son, came and said to him: I smell the aroma of a fragrant date. Rav Huna said to him: My son, there is clearly purity in you, as you were able to notice the fragrance. He gave it to him. Meanwhile, Abba, Rabbaโs son, arrived. Rabba took the date and gave it to him. Rav Huna said to Rabba: My son, you have made my heart rejoice with your purity, and you have blunted my teeth, by showing your preference for your own son. The Gemara comments: This explains the folk saying that people say: The love of a father is for the sons; the love of the sons is for their own sons, more than for their father.
ืจื ืืื ืืจ ืืขืงื ืืืืคื ืืื ืืจื ืืขืงื ืืจ ืืจืชืื ืื ืืื ืืืจ ืืื ืืฉืงืืื ืืื ืืืจ ืื ืืื ืืจืื ืื ื ืืืืื ื ืืืืจื ืืื ืฉื ืจืื ืจืื ืืจ ืืจืชื ืื ื:
The Gemara relates another incident: Rav Aแธฅa bar Yaโakov took care of Rav Yaโakov, the son of his daughter, who was an orphan. When the grandchild grew up, his grandfather once said to him: Give me water to drink. He said to him: I am not your son, and I am not obligated in your honor as a son must honor his father. The Gemara again comments: And this explains the folk saying that people say: Raise, raise your grandchild, but in the end he will retort: I am the son of your daughter, and I do not have to take care of you.
ืืชื ืืณ ืืคืืืืืก ืฉื ืืกืคืกืืื ืืก ืืืจื ืขื ืขืืจืืช ืืชื ืื ืืขื ืืืืจืืก
MISHNA: In the war [pulemus] of Vespasian the Sages decreed upon the crowns of bridegrooms, i.e., that bridegrooms may no longer wear crowns, and upon the drums, meaning they also banned the playing of drums.
ืืคืืืืืก ืฉื ืืืืืก ืืืจื ืขื ืขืืจืืช ืืืืช ืืฉืื ืืืื ืืื ืืช ืื ื ืืืื ืืช
In the war of Titus they also decreed upon the crowns of brides, and they decreed that a person should not teach his son Greek.
ืืคืืืืืก ืืืืจืื ืืืจื ืฉืื ืชืฆื ืืืื ืืืคืจืืื ืืชืื ืืขืืจ ืืจืืืชืื ื ืืชืืจื ืฉืชืฆื ืืืื ืืืคืจืืื ืืชืื ืืขืืจ
In the last war, meaning the bar Kokheva revolt, they decreed that a bride may not go out in a palanquin inside the city, but our Sages permitted a bride to go out in a palanquin inside the city, as this helps the bride maintain her modesty.
ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืืืืจ ืืืื ืืืฉืื ืืฉืืื ืืฉืืช ืื ืขืืื ืืืื ืืฉืงืื ืื ืืฉืืช ืื ืืืื ืืืื ืืืจืฉื ืื ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืขืงืืื ืืื ืืืื ืืชืืจื ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืื ืื ื ืื ืืืกื ืืืื ืื ืฉื ืืขืฉื ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืืืกื ืงืื ืชื ืคืกืงื ืืกืืืื ืืืื ื ืงืจื ืฉืื ืงืื ืชื ืฉืืื ืงืื ืชื ืฉื ืืกืืืื
The mishna lists more things that ceased: From the time when Rabbi Meir died, those who relate parables ceased; from the time when ben Azzai died, the diligent ceased; from the time when ben Zoma died, the exegetists ceased; from the time when Rabbi Akiva died, the honor of the Torah ceased; from the time when Rabbi แธคanina ben Dosa died, the men of wondrous action ceased; from the time when Rabbi Yosei the Small died, the pious were no more. And why was he called the Small? Because he was the smallest of the pious, meaning he was one of the least important of the pious men.
ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืืืื ื ืื ืืืื ืืื ืืื ืืืืื ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืืืืืื ืืืงื ืืื ืืืื ืืชืืจื ืืืชื ืืืจื ืืคืจืืฉืืช ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืืฉืืขืื ืื ืคืืื ืืืื ืืื ืืืืื ื ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืืื ืขื ืื ืืืจืืช ืืื:
From the time when Rabban Yoแธฅanan ben Zakkai died, the glory of wisdom ceased; from the time when Rabban Gamliel the Elder died, the honor of the Torah ceased, and purity and asceticism died. From the time when Rabbi Yishmael ben Pavi died, the glory of the priesthood ceased; from the time when Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi died, humility and fear of sin ceased.
[ืืืณ ืชื ื ืจืื ื] ืจืื ืคื ืืก ืื ืืืืจ ืืืืจ ืืฉืืจื ืืืช ืืืงืืฉ ืืืฉื ืืืจืื ืืื ื ืืืจืื ืืืคื ืจืืฉื ืื ืืืืื ืื ืฉื ืืขืฉื ืืืืจื ืืขืื ืืจืืข ืืืขืื ืืฉืื ืืืื ืืืจืฉ ืืืื ืืืงืฉ ืืืื ืฉืืื
GEMARA: The Sages taught: Rabbi Pineแธฅas ben Yaโir says: From the time when the Second Temple was destroyed, the แธฅaverim and free men of noble lineage were ashamed, and their heads were covered in shame, and men of action dwindled, and violent and smooth-talking men gained the upper hand, and none seek, and none ask, and none inquire of the fear of Heaven.
ืขื ืื ืื ื ืืืฉืขื ืขื ืืืื ื ืฉืืฉืืื
Upon whom is there for us to rely? Only upon our Father in Heaven.
ืจืื ืืืืขืืจ ืืืืื ืืืืจ ืืืื ืฉืืจื ืืืช ืืืงืืฉ ืฉืจื ืืืืืื ืืืืื ืืกืคืจืื ืืกืคืจืื ืืืื ืื ืืืื ืื ืืขืื ืืืจืขื ืืขืื ืืืจืขื
Rabbi Eliezer the Great says: From the day the Second Temple was destroyed, the generations have deteriorated: Scholars have begun to become like scribes that teach children, and scribes have become like beadles, and beadles have become like ignoramuses, and ignoramuses
ืืืื ืืืืืื ืืืื ืฉืืื ืืืื ืืืงืฉ ืขื ืื ืืฉ ืืืฉืขื ืขื ืืืื ื ืฉืืฉืืื
are increasingly diminished, and none ask and none seek. Upon whom is there to rely? Only upon our Father in Heaven.
ืืขืงืืืช ืืฉืืื ืืืฆืคื ืืกืื ืืืืงืจ ืืืืืจ ืืืคื ืชืชื ืคืจืื ืืืืื ืืืืงืจ ืืืืืืช ืชืืคื ืืืื ืืช ืืืื ืชืืืืช ืืืช ืืืขื ืืืื ืืื ืืช ืืืืืื ืืืจื ืืืืืื ืืฉืื ืืื ืฉื ืืืืื ืืกืืืื ืืขืืจ ืืขืืจ ืืื ืืืื ื ื
He also said: In the times of the approach of the Messiah, impudence will increase and high costs will pile up. Although the vine shall bring forth its fruit, wine will nevertheless be expensive. And the monarchy shall turn to heresy, and there will be no one to give reproof about this. The meeting place of the Sages will become a place of promiscuity, and the Galilee shall be destroyed, and the Gavlan will be desolate, and the men of the border shall go round from city to city to seek charity, but they will find no mercy.
ืืืืืืช ืกืืคืจืื ืชืกืจื ืืืจืื ืืื ืืืืกื ืืืืืช ืชืื ื ืขืืจืช ื ืขืจืื ืคื ื ืืงื ืื ืืืืื ื ืืงื ืื ืืขืืื ืืคื ื ืงืื ืื ืื ืื ืืื ืื ืืช ืงืื ืืืื ืืื ืืืืืชื ืืืืื ืืืฉ ืื ืฉื ืืืชื ืคื ื ืืืืจ ืืคื ื ืืืื ืืื ืืื ื ืืชืืืืฉ ืืืืื ืืขื ืื ืืฉ ืื ื ืืืฉืขื ืขื ืืืื ื ืฉืืฉืืื:
And the wisdom of scribes will putrefy, and people who fear sin will be held in disgust, and the truth will be absent. The youth will shame the face of elders, elders will stand before minors. Normal family relations will be ruined: A son will disgrace a father; a daughter will rise up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A manโs enemies will be the members of his household. The face of the generation will be like the face of a dog; a son will no longer be ashamed before his father. And upon what is there for us to rely? Only upon our Father in heaven.
(ืืืณ) ืืืจ ืจื ืื ืฉื ื ืืื ืฉื ืืื ืืืคืจืืช ืืื ืฉื ืืืก ืืฉื ืืืจื ืืืชืจ ืืฉืืืื ืืืืจ ืืฃ ืฉื ืืืก ืืฉื ืืืจื ืืกืืจ ืฉื ืงื ืื ืืฉื ืืืืช ืืืชืจ ืืืื ืืืจ ืืฃ ืฉื ืงื ืื ืืฉื ืืืืช ืืกืืจ ืืื ืชื ื ืืื ืืืชื ืืชืื ืืฃ ืฉื ืงื ืื ืืฉื ืืืืช ืืกืืจ:
ยง Rav says concerning the decree banning the wearing of crowns that they taught this halakha only with regard to crowns of salt and sulfur, but those of myrtle and rose are permitted. And Shmuel says that even crowns of myrtle and rose are prohibited, but those made of reeds and bulrush are permitted. And Levi says: Even crowns of reeds and bulrush are prohibited. And likewise Levi teaches in his baraita: Even those of reeds and bulrush are prohibited.
ืืขื ืืืืจืืก: ืืื ืืืจืืก ืืืจ ืจืื ืืืขืืจ ืืืื ืืื ืคืืื ืจืื ืืจ ืจื ืืื ื ืขืื ืืื ืืืจืื ืื ืืืจื ืืชื ืืืื ืชืืจืื ืืืจ ืืื ืืืืืฃ ืืืืื ืืื ืคืืื ืืื ืขืืื ืืื ืืคืืื ืืืฆืื ืื ืืคืืื ืืงืคืืื:
The mishna taught that the Sages decreed against the wearing of crowns for bridegrooms and upon the drums. The Gemara poses a question: What is this drum [irus]? Rabbi Elazar says: A drum with one mouth. The Gemara relates a story involving this instrument: Rabba bar Rav Huna made a tambourine for his son. His father, Rav Huna, came and broke it. He said to him: This instrument will be confused for a drum with one mouth, and people will assume that a drum with one mouth is permitted. Instead, go and make for him a small drum on the mouth of an earthen jug [แธฅatzava], or on the mouth of a container used for measuring a kefiza, a small measurement, which did not pose the concern of being confused with a drum with one mouth.
ืืคืืืืืก ืฉื ืืืืืก ืืืจื ืขื ืขืืจืืช ืืืืช ืืืืณ: ืืื ืขืืจืืช ืืืืช ืืืจ ืจืื ืืจ ืืจ ืื ื ืืืจ ืจืื ืืืื ื ืขืืจ ืฉื ืืื ืชื ืื ื ืื ืืื ืืืืื ืขืืจืืช ืืืืช ืขืืจ ืฉื ืืื ืืื ืขืืฉื ืืืชื ืืืคื ืฉื ืืืืช
They further taught that in the war of Titus the Sages decreed upon the crowns of brides. The Gemara clarifies: What are the crowns of brides? Rabba bar bar แธคana says that Rabbi Yoแธฅanan says: A city of gold, a gold crown engraved with the design of a city, worn by women as an ornament. This is also taught in a baraita: Which are the crowns of brides that were forbidden? The crown of a bride is a city of gold. However, one may make it as a cap of fine wool [meilat].
ืชื ื ืืฃ ืขื ืืืคืช ืืชื ืื ืืืจื ืืื ืืืคืช ืืชื ืื ืืืืจืืช ืืืืืืืืช ืชื ืื ื ืื ืืื ืืื ืื ืืืคืช ืืชื ืื ืืืืจืืช ืืืืืืืืช ืืื ืขืืฉื ืคืคืืจืืช ืืชืืื ืื ืื ืื ืฉืืจืฆื:
The Sage taught: The Sages even decreed upon the canopy of grooms. The Gemara asks: What is the type of canopy of grooms that was prohibited, as they certainly did not ban the marriage canopy. The Gemara answers: It means the golden crimson [zehorit] clothes, dyed red and crimson and decorated with gold, which they would hang on a marriage canopy. This is also taught in a baraita: These are the canopy of grooms the Sages banned: The golden crimson clothes. But he may make a papyrus [papirit] construction and hang upon it whatever he wants, even ornaments made of gold.
ืืฉืื ืืืื ืืช ืื ื ืืืื ืืช: ืชื ื ืจืื ื ืืฉืฆืจื ืืืื ืืืช ืืฉืืื ืื ืื ืขื ืื ืืื ืืืจืงื ืืก ืืืืืฅ ืืืจืืกืืืืืืก ืืืคื ืื ืืื ืืื ืืืื ืืื ืืฉืืฉืืื ืืื ืจืื ืืงืืคื ืืืขืืื ืืื ืชืืืืื
ยง The mishna taught that during the war of Titus the Sages decreed that a person should not teach his son Greek. The Sages taught that this decree came about as a result of the following incident: When the kings of the Hasmonean monarchy besieged each other in their civil war, Hyrcanus was outside of Jerusalem, besieging it, and Aristoblus was inside. On each and every day they would lower dinars in a box from inside the city, and those on the outside would send up animals for them to bring the daily offerings in the Temple.
ืืื ืฉื ืืงื ืืื ืฉืืื ืืืืจ ืืืืืช ืืืื ืืช ืืขื ืืื ืืืืืช ืืืื ืืช ืืืจ ืืื ืื ืืื ืฉืขืืกืงืื ืืขืืืื ืืื ื ืืกืจืื ืืืืื ืืืืจ ืฉืืฉืื ืืื ืืื ืจืื ืืงืืคื ืืืขืื ืืื ืืืืจ ืืืื ืฉืืืืข ืืืฆื ืืืื ื ืขืฅ ืฆืคืจื ืื ื ืืืขืืขื ืืจืฅ ืืฉืจืื ืืจืืข ืืืืช ืคืจืกื
A certain Elder was there, in Jerusalem, who was familiar with Greek wisdom. He communicated to those on the outside by means of Greek wisdom, using words understood only by those proficient in Greek wisdom. He said to them: As long as they are engaged in the Temple service, they will not be delivered into your hands. Upon hearing this, on the following day, when they lowered dinars in a box, they sent up a pig to them. Once the pig reached halfway up the wall, it inserted its hooves into the wall and Eretz Yisrael shuddered four hundred parasangs.
ืืืชื ืฉืขื ืืืจื ืืจืืจ ืืื ืฉืืืื ืืืืจืื ืืืจืืจ ืืื ืฉืืืื ืืื ื ืืืืช ืืืื ืืช ืืขื ืืืชื ืฉื ื ืฉื ืื ื ืืขืฉื ืืื ืขืืืจ ืืืืืช ืฆืจืืคืื ืืฉืชื ืืืื ืืืงืขืช ืขืื ืกืืืจ
When the Sages saw this, they said at that time: Cursed is the person who raises pigs, and cursed is the person who teaches his son Greek wisdom. And with regard to that year of civil war, in which the land was destroyed, we learned (Menaแธฅot 64b): An incident occurred in which the omer, the measure of barley brought as a communal offering on the sixteenth of Nisan, came from Gaggot Tzerifim, and the two loaves offered on Shavuot came from the valley of Ein Sokher.
ืืื ื ืืืืืจ ืจืื ืืืจืฅ ืืฉืจืื ืืฉืื ืกืืจืกื ืืื ืืื ืื ืืฉืื ืืงืืืฉ ืื ืืฉืื ืืืื ืืช ืืืืจ ืจื ืืืกืฃ ืืืื ืืฉืื ืืจืื ืืื ืืื ืื ืืฉืื ืืงืืืฉ ืื ืืฉืื ืคืจืกื
It is understood from both the mishna and the baraita that it is prohibited to learn Greek. The Gemara raises a question: Is that so? But didnโt Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi say: In Eretz Yisrael, why should people speak the tongue of Syriac [Sursi], the Aramaic commonly spoken in Eretz Yisrael? Rather, they should speak either in the sacred tongue, Hebrew, or in the beautiful tongue of Greek. And Rav Yosef similarly said: In Babylonia, why should they speak in the vernacular tongue of Aramaic? Rather, they should speak either in the sacred tongue, Hebrew, or in the tongue of Persian, used by the authorities.
ืืฉืื ืืืื ืืช ืืืื ืืืืืช ืืืื ืืช ืืืื
The Gemara answers that there is a difference: The Greek tongue is discrete and Greek wisdom is discrete, and the Sages prohibited the latter but not the former.
ืืืืืช ืืืื ืืช ืื ืืกืืจื ืืืืืจ ืจื ืืืืื ืืืจ ืฉืืืื ืืฉืื ืจืื ืฉืืขืื ืื ืืืืืื ืืื ืืืชืื ืขืื ื ืขืืืื ืื ืคืฉื ืืื ืื ืืช ืขืืจื ืืืฃ ืืืืื ืืื ืืืืช ืืื ืืืฉ ืืืืช ืืืื ืชืืจื ืืืืฉ ืืืืช ืืืื ืืืืช ืืืื ืืช ืืื ื ืฉืชืืืจ ืืื ืืื ืื ื ืืื ืืื ืืื ืืื ืืขืกืื
The Gemara poses a question: And is Greek wisdom prohibited? But didnโt Rav Yehuda say that Shmuel said in the name of Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel: What is the meaning of that which is written: โMy eye affected my soul, due to all the daughters of my cityโ (Lamentations 3:51)? There were a thousand children in my fatherโs house, the princesโ household. Five hundred of them learned Torah, and the other five hundred learned Greek wisdom, and there only remained of them, after the bar Kokheva revolt, me, here in Eretz Yisrael, and the son of my fatherโs brother, who lives in Asia Minor [Asya]. The fact that Rabban Gamliel allowed half of his household to study Greek wisdom indicates that it is permitted.
ืฉืื ื ืฉื ืืืช ืจืื ืืืืืื ืืงืจืืืื ืืืืืืช ืืื ืืชื ืื ืืกืคืจ ืงืืื ืืจื ืื ืืืจืื ืืืืืจื ืืืืืืืก ืื ืจืืืื ืืชืืจื ืืกืคืจ ืงืืื ืฉืืื ืงืจืื ืืืืืืช ืฉื ืืืช ืจืื ืืืืืื ืืชืืจื ืืื ืืืืช ืืืื ืืช ืืคื ื ืฉืงืจืืืื ืืืืืืช:
The Gemara answers: The members of the house of Rabban Gamliel are different, as they were close to the monarchy, and therefore had to learn Greek wisdom in order to converse with people of authority. As it is taught in a baraita (Tosefta, Shabbat 7:1): One who cuts his hair in the komi style, which was the gentile fashion of cutting and wearing the hair, is considered to be acting in the ways of the Amorites, and it is prohibited to act in their way. However, they permitted Avtolos ben Reuven to cut his hair in the komi style, as he is close to the monarchy, and similarly they permitted the house of Rabban Gamliel to study Greek wisdom, because they are close to the monarchy.
ืืคืืืืืก ืืืืจืื ืืืจื ืฉืื ืชืฆื ืืื ืืืคืจืืื ืืืืณ: ืืื ืืขืื ืืฉืื ืฆื ืืขืืชื:
ยง The mishna taught: In the last war the Sages decreed that a bride may not go out in a palanquin inside the city, but the later Sages permitted it. The Gemara explains: What is the reason they permitted this practice? Due to modesty, so that brides should not have to go out into the street and be seen by all.
ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืืืื ื ืืืื ืืืืื: ืชื ื ืจืื ื ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืืืืขืืจ ื ืื ื ืกืคืจ ืชืืจื ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืืืืฉืข ืืืื ืขืฆื ืืืืฉืื ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืขืงืืื ืืืื ืืจืืขื ืชืืจื ืื ืกืชืชืื ืืขืืื ืืช ืืืืื
The mishna taught that from the time when Rabban Yoแธฅanan ben Zakkai died, wisdom ceased. The Sages taught: From the time when Rabbi Eliezer died, it was as if the Torah scroll had been interred, as he had memorized many secrets of the Torah. From the time when Rabbi Yehoshua died, council and deliberate thought ceased, as he had the sharpest mind in Israel. From the time when Rabbi Akiva died, the powerful arm of Torah, meaning the exposition of all the details of Torah scripture, ceased, and the fountains of wisdom were sealed.
ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืืืขืืจ ืื ืขืืจืื ืืืื ืขืืจืืช ืืืื ืฉืขืืจืช ืืืืื ืขืฉืจื ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืื ืื ื ืื ืืืกื ืืืื ืื ืฉื ืืขืฉื ืืฉืืช ืืื ืืืกื ืื ืงืืื ืชื ืืืื ืืกืืืื ืืืื ื ืงืจื ืฉืื ืืื ืืืกื ืื ืงืืื ืชื ืฉืืื ืืงืื ื ืืกืืืื
From the time when Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya died, the crowns of wisdom ceased, as โthe crown of the wise is their richesโ (Proverbs 14:24), and he was both a great Torah scholar and a very wealthy man. From the time when Rabbi แธคanina ben Dosa died, the men of wondrous deeds ceased. From the time when Abba Yosei ben Katonta died, the pious men ceased. And why was he called Abba Yosei ben Katonta? Because he was among the diminished [miktanei] of the pious people, i.e., he lived in an era when the pious had become few.
ืืฉืืช ืื ืขืืื ืืืื ืืฉืงืื ืื ืืฉืืช ืื ืืืื ืืืื ืืืจืฉื ืื ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืฉืืขืื ืื ืืืืืื ืขืื ืืืืื ืืจืื ืฆืจืืช ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืืืืคืื ืฆืจืืช;
From the time when ben Azzai died, the diligent ceased; from the time when ben Zoma died, the exegetists ceased. From the time when Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel died, locusts ascended upon the land and troubles proliferated. From the time when Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi died, the troubles multiplied.
ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืืืื ืขื ืื ืืืจืืช ืืื: ืืืจ ืืื ืจื ืืืกืฃ ืืชื ื ืื ืชืืชื ื ืขื ืื ืืืืื ืื ื ืืืจ ืืื ืจื ื ืืื ืืชื ื ืื ืชืืชื ื ืืจืืช ืืื ืืืืื ืื ื:
The final line of the mishna states that from the time when Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi died, humility and fear of sin ceased. Rav Yosef said to the tanna who reviewed the mishna: Do not teach that humility ceased, for there is still one who is humble, namely me. Rav Naแธฅman similarly said to the tanna who reviewed the mishna: Do not teach that fear of sin ceased, for there is still one who fears sin, namely me.
ืืืจื ืขืื ืขืืื ืขืจืืคื ืืกืืืงื ืื ืืกืืช ืกืืื
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This month's learningย is sponsored by Leah Goldford in loving memory ofย her grandmothers, Tzipporah bat Yechezkiel, Rivka Yoda Batย Dovide Tzvi, Bracha Bayla bat Beryl, her father-in-law, Chaim Gershon ben Tzvi Aryeh, her mother, Devorah Rivkah bat Tuvia Hacohen, her cousins, Avrum Baer ben Mordechai, and Sharon bat Yaakov.
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Masechet Sotah is sponsored by Ahava Leibtag in honor of Dr. Bryna Levy who helped her fall deep in love with learning.
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Sotah 49 – Siyum Masechet Sotah
The William Davidson Talmud | Powered by Sefaria
ืฉืืืืืืื ืืื ืืืืื ืืขืชืื ืืืื ืืืืจืื ืืคื ืื ืจืืื ื ืฉื ืขืืื ืืืืจ ืฉืืชื ืขืชืื ืืืคืจืข ืืื ืืื ืืงืืืชื ืฉืื ืืื ืื
who plunder, i.e., destroy, their fathersโ future judgment. When God sits in judgment of their parents, these children say before Him: Master of the Universe, because You were destined to exact punishment from our fathers in the World-to-Come for their wickedness, why did You blunt their teeth with the death of their children in their lifetimes? In this way, the death of their children atones for the fathers.
ืืืจ ืจืื ืืืืขื ืืจ ืืืจืืื ืืืืื ืชืคืืชื ืฉื ืืื ืืื ืื ืืฉืจืื ืืืืจื ืจืื ืฉื ืืืจ ืฉืืชื ืืณ ืืืจื ืืื ืืืืจ ืจืื ืืืืขื ืืจ ืืืจืืื ืืืืื ืชืคืืชื ืฉื ืืืงืืง ืืื ืฉื ื ืชืืืืื ืืืืื ืืชืืกืื ืืืืืช ืืืช ืืขืืกืงืื ืืชืืจื ืฉื ืืืจ ืืณ ืฉืืขืชื ืฉืืขื ืืจืืชื ืืณ ืคืขืื ืืงืจื ืฉื ืื ืืืืื ืื ืชืงืจื ืืงืจื ืฉื ืื ืืื ืืงืจืื ืฉื ืื
ยง Rabbi Ileโa bar Yeverekhya says: If it were not for the prayer of David for Israel to have sustenance, all Israel would be sellers of fat [revav], i.e., involved in debased occupations, as it is stated: โPlace for them mastery, O Lordโ (Psalms 9:21), that is, may God grant them dignity. And Rabbi Ileโa bar Yeverekhya also says: If it were not for the prayer of Habakkuk, two Torah scholars would have to cover themselves with a single cloak due to poverty and engage in Torah study dressed that way, as it is stated: โLord, I heard Your report and was afraid; O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the yearsโ (Habakkuk 3:2). Do not read: โIn the midst [bekerev] of the years [shanim],โ but in the closeness [bikrov] of two [shenayim]. In other words, Habakkuk prayed that God would nullify His decree of two Torah scholars having to share a single cloak.
ืืืืจ ืจืื ืืืืขื ืืจ ืืืจืืื ืฉื ื ืชืืืืื ืืืืื ืืืืืืื ืืืจื ืืืื ืืื ืืื ืืืจื ืชืืจื ืจืืืื ืืืฉืจืฃ ืืืฉ ืฉื ืืืจ ืืืื ืืื ืืืืื ืืืื ืืืืจ ืืื ื ืจืื ืืฉ ืืืืณ ืืขืื ืืืืื ืืืืืจ ืื ืืืื ืืืืืจ ืจืืืื ืืืฉืจืฃ
And Rabbi Ileโa bar Yeverekhya says: In the case of two Torah scholars who are walking along the way and there are no words of Torah between them, but they are conversing about other matters, they are deserving of being burned in fire. As it is stated with regard to Elijah and his disciple Elisha: โAnd it was as they walked along, talking, that behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire, which parted them both asunderโ (IIย Kings 2:11). The reason they were not burned by the chariot of fire is that there was speech exchanged between them, which presumably was words of Torah, but if there had been no speech, they would have been deserving of being burned by the chariot.
ืืืืจ ืจืื ืืืืขื ืืจ ืืืจืืื ืฉื ื ืชืืืืื ืืืืื ืืืจืื ืืขืืจ ืืืช ืืืื ื ืืืื ืื ืืื ืืืืื ืืื ืืช ืืืื ืืืื ืฉื ืืืจ ืื ืก ืฉืื ืจืืฆื ืืฉืจ ืืจืฆื ืืช ืจืขืื ืืืื ืืขืช ืืืื ืืขืช ืืื ืชืืจื ืฉื ืืืจ ื ืืื ืขืื ืืืื ืืืขืช
And Rabbi Ileโa bar Yeverekhya says: If there are two Torah scholars who reside in the same city and they are not pleasant to each other with regard to halakha, but are constantly fighting, one of them will die and the other one will be exiled. As it is stated: โThat the manslayer might flee there, who slays his neighbor without knowledgeโ (Deuteronomy 4:42), and โknowledgeโ means nothing other than Torah, as it is stated: โMy people are destroyed for lack of knowledgeโ (Hosea 4:6).
ืืืจ ืจืื ืืืืื ืืจืื ืืจืื ืืืื ืื ืชืืืื ืืื ืืขืืกืง ืืชืืจื ืืชืื ืืืืง ืชืคืืชื ื ืฉืืขืช ืฉื ืืืจ ืื ืขื ืืฆืืื ืืฉื ืืืจืืฉืื ืืื ืื ืชืืื ืื ืื ืืื ื ืืงืื ืืขืงื ืืฉืืขืชื ืขื ื ืืืชืื ืืชืจืื ืื ืชื ืืณ ืืื ืืื ืฆืจ ืืืื ืืืฅ
Rabbi Yehuda, son of Rabbi แธคiyya, says: With regard to any Torah scholar who engages in Torah study while experiencing the pressure of poverty, his prayer is listened to, as it is stated: โFor, O people that dwells in Zion at Jerusalem, you shall weep no more; He will surely be gracious to you at the voice of your cry. When He shall hear, He will answer youโ (Isaiah 30:19), and after it is written: โAnd the Lord shall give you sparse bread and scant waterโ (Isaiah 30:20). This verse indicates that those who sit and study Torah, that is, the people who dwell in Zion, and eat bread sparingly, will have their prayers answered by God.
ืจืื ืืืื ืืืืจ ืืฉืืืขืื ืืืชื ืืืื ืฉืืื ื ืฉื ืืืจ ืืืื ืขืื ืื ืจืืืช ืืช ืืืจืื ืจืื ืืื ืืจ ืื ืื ื ืืืจ ืืฃ ืืื ืืคืจืืื ื ื ืขื ืืคื ืื ืฉื ืืืจ ืืื ืืื ืฃ ืขืื ืืืจืื:
Rabbi Abbahu says: A Torah scholar who engages in Torah study despite economic pressures is satiated with the glory of the Divine Presence, as it is stated in the same verse, above: โAnd your eyes shall behold your Teacher.โ Rabbi Aแธฅa, son of แธคanina, said: Even the concealing partition [pargod] before the Divine Presence is not locked before him, as it is stated: โAnd your Teacher shall not hide Himself anymoreโ (Isaiah 30:20).
ืจืื ืฉืืขืื ืื ืืืืืื ืืืืจ ืืฉืื ืจืื ืืืืฉืข ืืืื ืฉืืจื ืืืช ืืืงืืฉ ืืื ืืืืณ: ืืืจ ืจืื ืืื ืืื ืืืื ืืจืืื ืงืืืชื ืืฉื ืืืืจื ืฉื ืืืจ ืืืงืจ ืชืืืจ ืื ืืชื ืขืจื ืืืขืจื ืชืืืจ ืื ืืชื ืืงืจ ืื ืืงืจ ืืืืืื ืืงืจ ืืืืืจ ืื ืืืข ืืื ืืื ืืื ืืืืืฃ
ยง The mishna states that Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel says in the name of Rabbi Yehoshua: From the day that the Temple was destroyed, there is no day that does not include some form of curse. Rava says: Each and every day is more cursed than the previous one, as it is stated in the chapter detailing the curses in the book of Deuteronomy: โIn the morning you will say, would that it were evening, and in the evening you will say, would that it were morningโ (Deuteronomy 28:67). It is unclear which morning the verse means. If we say that in the evening he will wish it would be the following morning, does he know what will be the outcome of the next morning, which would cause him to yearn for its arrival? Rather, it must mean the morning that has passed; that is, in the evening they will pine for the previous morning, because their situation is continuously worsening.
ืืืื ืขืืื ืืืื ืงื ืืงืืื ืืงืืืฉื ืืกืืืจื ืืืืื ืฉืืื ืจืื ืืืืืชื ืฉื ืืืจ ืืจืฅ ืขืคืชื ืืื ืืคื ืฆืืืืช ืืื ืกืืจืื ืื ืืฉ ืกืืจืื ืชืืคืืข ืืืืคื:
The Gemara poses a question: But if everything is deteriorating, why does the world continue to exist? The Gemara answers: By the sanctification that is said in the order of prayers, after the passage that begins: And a redeemer shall come to Israel, which includes the recitation and translation of the sanctification said by the angels, and by the response: Let His great name be blessed, etc., which is recited after the study of aggada. As it is stated: โA land of thick darkness, as darkness itself; a land of the shadow of death, without any orderโ (Job 10:22). Therefore, it can be inferred from this verse that if there are orders of prayer and study, the land shall appear from amidst the darkness.
ืืื ืืจื ืื ืืืจืื ืื ืืื ืืขื ืคืืจืืช ืืืืณ: ืชื ืื ืจืื ืฉืืขืื ืื ืืืขืืจ ืืืืจ ืืืจื ืืืื ืืขื ืืจืื ืืขืฉืจ ืืืื ืฉืืื ืืื
ยง The mishna taught that since the destruction of the Temple, dew has not descended for a blessing, and the taste has been removed from fruit. It is taught in a baraita: Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says: The lost purity has removed the taste and the aroma; the tithes that were not separated have removed the fat of grain.
ืจื ืืื ื ืืฉืื ืชืืืจืชื ืืืื ืื ืืชื ืฉืงืื ืืจืื ืืกืืืจืื ืืชื ืจืื ืืจืื ืืืจ ืืื ืืืจืืื ื ืจืืื ืืืื ืื ืืชื ืืืจ ืืื ืื ื ืืืจื ืืฉ ืื ืืืื ื ืืืืื ืืืืื ืืชื ืืื ืืจืื ืฉืงืื ืืืื ื ืืืืื ืืืจ ืืื ืื ื ืฉืืืช ืืช ืืื ืืืงืืืชื ืืช ืฉืื ื ืืืื ื ืืืืจื ืืื ืฉื ืจืืื ืืืื ืืื ื ืจืืื ืืื ื ืืื ื ืืืื ืืื
The Gemara relates that Rav Huna found a fragrant date. He took it and wrapped it in his shawl. Rabba, his son, came and said to him: I smell the aroma of a fragrant date. Rav Huna said to him: My son, there is clearly purity in you, as you were able to notice the fragrance. He gave it to him. Meanwhile, Abba, Rabbaโs son, arrived. Rabba took the date and gave it to him. Rav Huna said to Rabba: My son, you have made my heart rejoice with your purity, and you have blunted my teeth, by showing your preference for your own son. The Gemara comments: This explains the folk saying that people say: The love of a father is for the sons; the love of the sons is for their own sons, more than for their father.
ืจื ืืื ืืจ ืืขืงื ืืืืคื ืืื ืืจื ืืขืงื ืืจ ืืจืชืื ืื ืืื ืืืจ ืืื ืืฉืงืืื ืืื ืืืจ ืื ืืื ืืจืื ืื ื ืืืืื ื ืืืืจื ืืื ืฉื ืจืื ืจืื ืืจ ืืจืชื ืื ื:
The Gemara relates another incident: Rav Aแธฅa bar Yaโakov took care of Rav Yaโakov, the son of his daughter, who was an orphan. When the grandchild grew up, his grandfather once said to him: Give me water to drink. He said to him: I am not your son, and I am not obligated in your honor as a son must honor his father. The Gemara again comments: And this explains the folk saying that people say: Raise, raise your grandchild, but in the end he will retort: I am the son of your daughter, and I do not have to take care of you.
ืืชื ืืณ ืืคืืืืืก ืฉื ืืกืคืกืืื ืืก ืืืจื ืขื ืขืืจืืช ืืชื ืื ืืขื ืืืืจืืก
MISHNA: In the war [pulemus] of Vespasian the Sages decreed upon the crowns of bridegrooms, i.e., that bridegrooms may no longer wear crowns, and upon the drums, meaning they also banned the playing of drums.
ืืคืืืืืก ืฉื ืืืืืก ืืืจื ืขื ืขืืจืืช ืืืืช ืืฉืื ืืืื ืืื ืืช ืื ื ืืืื ืืช
In the war of Titus they also decreed upon the crowns of brides, and they decreed that a person should not teach his son Greek.
ืืคืืืืืก ืืืืจืื ืืืจื ืฉืื ืชืฆื ืืืื ืืืคืจืืื ืืชืื ืืขืืจ ืืจืืืชืื ื ืืชืืจื ืฉืชืฆื ืืืื ืืืคืจืืื ืืชืื ืืขืืจ
In the last war, meaning the bar Kokheva revolt, they decreed that a bride may not go out in a palanquin inside the city, but our Sages permitted a bride to go out in a palanquin inside the city, as this helps the bride maintain her modesty.
ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืืืืจ ืืืื ืืืฉืื ืืฉืืื ืืฉืืช ืื ืขืืื ืืืื ืืฉืงืื ืื ืืฉืืช ืื ืืืื ืืืื ืืืจืฉื ืื ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืขืงืืื ืืื ืืืื ืืชืืจื ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืื ืื ื ืื ืืืกื ืืืื ืื ืฉื ืืขืฉื ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืืืกื ืงืื ืชื ืคืกืงื ืืกืืืื ืืืื ื ืงืจื ืฉืื ืงืื ืชื ืฉืืื ืงืื ืชื ืฉื ืืกืืืื
The mishna lists more things that ceased: From the time when Rabbi Meir died, those who relate parables ceased; from the time when ben Azzai died, the diligent ceased; from the time when ben Zoma died, the exegetists ceased; from the time when Rabbi Akiva died, the honor of the Torah ceased; from the time when Rabbi แธคanina ben Dosa died, the men of wondrous action ceased; from the time when Rabbi Yosei the Small died, the pious were no more. And why was he called the Small? Because he was the smallest of the pious, meaning he was one of the least important of the pious men.
ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืืืื ื ืื ืืืื ืืื ืืื ืืืืื ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืืืืืื ืืืงื ืืื ืืืื ืืชืืจื ืืืชื ืืืจื ืืคืจืืฉืืช ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืืฉืืขืื ืื ืคืืื ืืืื ืืื ืืืืื ื ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืืื ืขื ืื ืืืจืืช ืืื:
From the time when Rabban Yoแธฅanan ben Zakkai died, the glory of wisdom ceased; from the time when Rabban Gamliel the Elder died, the honor of the Torah ceased, and purity and asceticism died. From the time when Rabbi Yishmael ben Pavi died, the glory of the priesthood ceased; from the time when Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi died, humility and fear of sin ceased.
[ืืืณ ืชื ื ืจืื ื] ืจืื ืคื ืืก ืื ืืืืจ ืืืืจ ืืฉืืจื ืืืช ืืืงืืฉ ืืืฉื ืืืจืื ืืื ื ืืืจืื ืืืคื ืจืืฉื ืื ืืืืื ืื ืฉื ืืขืฉื ืืืืจื ืืขืื ืืจืืข ืืืขืื ืืฉืื ืืืื ืืืจืฉ ืืืื ืืืงืฉ ืืืื ืฉืืื
GEMARA: The Sages taught: Rabbi Pineแธฅas ben Yaโir says: From the time when the Second Temple was destroyed, the แธฅaverim and free men of noble lineage were ashamed, and their heads were covered in shame, and men of action dwindled, and violent and smooth-talking men gained the upper hand, and none seek, and none ask, and none inquire of the fear of Heaven.
ืขื ืื ืื ื ืืืฉืขื ืขื ืืืื ื ืฉืืฉืืื
Upon whom is there for us to rely? Only upon our Father in Heaven.
ืจืื ืืืืขืืจ ืืืืื ืืืืจ ืืืื ืฉืืจื ืืืช ืืืงืืฉ ืฉืจื ืืืืืื ืืืืื ืืกืคืจืื ืืกืคืจืื ืืืื ืื ืืืื ืื ืืขืื ืืืจืขื ืืขืื ืืืจืขื
Rabbi Eliezer the Great says: From the day the Second Temple was destroyed, the generations have deteriorated: Scholars have begun to become like scribes that teach children, and scribes have become like beadles, and beadles have become like ignoramuses, and ignoramuses
ืืืื ืืืืืื ืืืื ืฉืืื ืืืื ืืืงืฉ ืขื ืื ืืฉ ืืืฉืขื ืขื ืืืื ื ืฉืืฉืืื
are increasingly diminished, and none ask and none seek. Upon whom is there to rely? Only upon our Father in Heaven.
ืืขืงืืืช ืืฉืืื ืืืฆืคื ืืกืื ืืืืงืจ ืืืืืจ ืืืคื ืชืชื ืคืจืื ืืืืื ืืืืงืจ ืืืืืืช ืชืืคื ืืืื ืืช ืืืื ืชืืืืช ืืืช ืืืขื ืืืื ืืื ืืช ืืืืืื ืืืจื ืืืืืื ืืฉืื ืืื ืฉื ืืืืื ืืกืืืื ืืขืืจ ืืขืืจ ืืื ืืืื ื ื
He also said: In the times of the approach of the Messiah, impudence will increase and high costs will pile up. Although the vine shall bring forth its fruit, wine will nevertheless be expensive. And the monarchy shall turn to heresy, and there will be no one to give reproof about this. The meeting place of the Sages will become a place of promiscuity, and the Galilee shall be destroyed, and the Gavlan will be desolate, and the men of the border shall go round from city to city to seek charity, but they will find no mercy.
ืืืืืืช ืกืืคืจืื ืชืกืจื ืืืจืื ืืื ืืืืกื ืืืืืช ืชืื ื ืขืืจืช ื ืขืจืื ืคื ื ืืงื ืื ืืืืื ื ืืงื ืื ืืขืืื ืืคื ื ืงืื ืื ืื ืื ืืื ืื ืืช ืงืื ืืืื ืืื ืืืืืชื ืืืืื ืืืฉ ืื ืฉื ืืืชื ืคื ื ืืืืจ ืืคื ื ืืืื ืืื ืืื ื ืืชืืืืฉ ืืืืื ืืขื ืื ืืฉ ืื ื ืืืฉืขื ืขื ืืืื ื ืฉืืฉืืื:
And the wisdom of scribes will putrefy, and people who fear sin will be held in disgust, and the truth will be absent. The youth will shame the face of elders, elders will stand before minors. Normal family relations will be ruined: A son will disgrace a father; a daughter will rise up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A manโs enemies will be the members of his household. The face of the generation will be like the face of a dog; a son will no longer be ashamed before his father. And upon what is there for us to rely? Only upon our Father in heaven.
(ืืืณ) ืืืจ ืจื ืื ืฉื ื ืืื ืฉื ืืื ืืืคืจืืช ืืื ืฉื ืืืก ืืฉื ืืืจื ืืืชืจ ืืฉืืืื ืืืืจ ืืฃ ืฉื ืืืก ืืฉื ืืืจื ืืกืืจ ืฉื ืงื ืื ืืฉื ืืืืช ืืืชืจ ืืืื ืืืจ ืืฃ ืฉื ืงื ืื ืืฉื ืืืืช ืืกืืจ ืืื ืชื ื ืืื ืืืชื ืืชืื ืืฃ ืฉื ืงื ืื ืืฉื ืืืืช ืืกืืจ:
ยง Rav says concerning the decree banning the wearing of crowns that they taught this halakha only with regard to crowns of salt and sulfur, but those of myrtle and rose are permitted. And Shmuel says that even crowns of myrtle and rose are prohibited, but those made of reeds and bulrush are permitted. And Levi says: Even crowns of reeds and bulrush are prohibited. And likewise Levi teaches in his baraita: Even those of reeds and bulrush are prohibited.
ืืขื ืืืืจืืก: ืืื ืืืจืืก ืืืจ ืจืื ืืืขืืจ ืืืื ืืื ืคืืื ืจืื ืืจ ืจื ืืื ื ืขืื ืืื ืืืจืื ืื ืืืจื ืืชื ืืืื ืชืืจืื ืืืจ ืืื ืืืืืฃ ืืืืื ืืื ืคืืื ืืื ืขืืื ืืื ืืคืืื ืืืฆืื ืื ืืคืืื ืืงืคืืื:
The mishna taught that the Sages decreed against the wearing of crowns for bridegrooms and upon the drums. The Gemara poses a question: What is this drum [irus]? Rabbi Elazar says: A drum with one mouth. The Gemara relates a story involving this instrument: Rabba bar Rav Huna made a tambourine for his son. His father, Rav Huna, came and broke it. He said to him: This instrument will be confused for a drum with one mouth, and people will assume that a drum with one mouth is permitted. Instead, go and make for him a small drum on the mouth of an earthen jug [แธฅatzava], or on the mouth of a container used for measuring a kefiza, a small measurement, which did not pose the concern of being confused with a drum with one mouth.
ืืคืืืืืก ืฉื ืืืืืก ืืืจื ืขื ืขืืจืืช ืืืืช ืืืืณ: ืืื ืขืืจืืช ืืืืช ืืืจ ืจืื ืืจ ืืจ ืื ื ืืืจ ืจืื ืืืื ื ืขืืจ ืฉื ืืื ืชื ืื ื ืื ืืื ืืืืื ืขืืจืืช ืืืืช ืขืืจ ืฉื ืืื ืืื ืขืืฉื ืืืชื ืืืคื ืฉื ืืืืช
They further taught that in the war of Titus the Sages decreed upon the crowns of brides. The Gemara clarifies: What are the crowns of brides? Rabba bar bar แธคana says that Rabbi Yoแธฅanan says: A city of gold, a gold crown engraved with the design of a city, worn by women as an ornament. This is also taught in a baraita: Which are the crowns of brides that were forbidden? The crown of a bride is a city of gold. However, one may make it as a cap of fine wool [meilat].
ืชื ื ืืฃ ืขื ืืืคืช ืืชื ืื ืืืจื ืืื ืืืคืช ืืชื ืื ืืืืจืืช ืืืืืืืืช ืชื ืื ื ืื ืืื ืืื ืื ืืืคืช ืืชื ืื ืืืืจืืช ืืืืืืืืช ืืื ืขืืฉื ืคืคืืจืืช ืืชืืื ืื ืื ืื ืฉืืจืฆื:
The Sage taught: The Sages even decreed upon the canopy of grooms. The Gemara asks: What is the type of canopy of grooms that was prohibited, as they certainly did not ban the marriage canopy. The Gemara answers: It means the golden crimson [zehorit] clothes, dyed red and crimson and decorated with gold, which they would hang on a marriage canopy. This is also taught in a baraita: These are the canopy of grooms the Sages banned: The golden crimson clothes. But he may make a papyrus [papirit] construction and hang upon it whatever he wants, even ornaments made of gold.
ืืฉืื ืืืื ืืช ืื ื ืืืื ืืช: ืชื ื ืจืื ื ืืฉืฆืจื ืืืื ืืืช ืืฉืืื ืื ืื ืขื ืื ืืื ืืืจืงื ืืก ืืืืืฅ ืืืจืืกืืืืืืก ืืืคื ืื ืืื ืืื ืืืื ืืื ืืฉืืฉืืื ืืื ืจืื ืืงืืคื ืืืขืืื ืืื ืชืืืืื
ยง The mishna taught that during the war of Titus the Sages decreed that a person should not teach his son Greek. The Sages taught that this decree came about as a result of the following incident: When the kings of the Hasmonean monarchy besieged each other in their civil war, Hyrcanus was outside of Jerusalem, besieging it, and Aristoblus was inside. On each and every day they would lower dinars in a box from inside the city, and those on the outside would send up animals for them to bring the daily offerings in the Temple.
ืืื ืฉื ืืงื ืืื ืฉืืื ืืืืจ ืืืืืช ืืืื ืืช ืืขื ืืื ืืืืืช ืืืื ืืช ืืืจ ืืื ืื ืืื ืฉืขืืกืงืื ืืขืืืื ืืื ื ืืกืจืื ืืืืื ืืืืจ ืฉืืฉืื ืืื ืืื ืจืื ืืงืืคื ืืืขืื ืืื ืืืืจ ืืืื ืฉืืืืข ืืืฆื ืืืื ื ืขืฅ ืฆืคืจื ืื ื ืืืขืืขื ืืจืฅ ืืฉืจืื ืืจืืข ืืืืช ืคืจืกื
A certain Elder was there, in Jerusalem, who was familiar with Greek wisdom. He communicated to those on the outside by means of Greek wisdom, using words understood only by those proficient in Greek wisdom. He said to them: As long as they are engaged in the Temple service, they will not be delivered into your hands. Upon hearing this, on the following day, when they lowered dinars in a box, they sent up a pig to them. Once the pig reached halfway up the wall, it inserted its hooves into the wall and Eretz Yisrael shuddered four hundred parasangs.
ืืืชื ืฉืขื ืืืจื ืืจืืจ ืืื ืฉืืืื ืืืืจืื ืืืจืืจ ืืื ืฉืืืื ืืื ื ืืืืช ืืืื ืืช ืืขื ืืืชื ืฉื ื ืฉื ืื ื ืืขืฉื ืืื ืขืืืจ ืืืืืช ืฆืจืืคืื ืืฉืชื ืืืื ืืืงืขืช ืขืื ืกืืืจ
When the Sages saw this, they said at that time: Cursed is the person who raises pigs, and cursed is the person who teaches his son Greek wisdom. And with regard to that year of civil war, in which the land was destroyed, we learned (Menaแธฅot 64b): An incident occurred in which the omer, the measure of barley brought as a communal offering on the sixteenth of Nisan, came from Gaggot Tzerifim, and the two loaves offered on Shavuot came from the valley of Ein Sokher.
ืืื ื ืืืืืจ ืจืื ืืืจืฅ ืืฉืจืื ืืฉืื ืกืืจืกื ืืื ืืื ืื ืืฉืื ืืงืืืฉ ืื ืืฉืื ืืืื ืืช ืืืืจ ืจื ืืืกืฃ ืืืื ืืฉืื ืืจืื ืืื ืืื ืื ืืฉืื ืืงืืืฉ ืื ืืฉืื ืคืจืกื
It is understood from both the mishna and the baraita that it is prohibited to learn Greek. The Gemara raises a question: Is that so? But didnโt Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi say: In Eretz Yisrael, why should people speak the tongue of Syriac [Sursi], the Aramaic commonly spoken in Eretz Yisrael? Rather, they should speak either in the sacred tongue, Hebrew, or in the beautiful tongue of Greek. And Rav Yosef similarly said: In Babylonia, why should they speak in the vernacular tongue of Aramaic? Rather, they should speak either in the sacred tongue, Hebrew, or in the tongue of Persian, used by the authorities.
ืืฉืื ืืืื ืืช ืืืื ืืืืืช ืืืื ืืช ืืืื
The Gemara answers that there is a difference: The Greek tongue is discrete and Greek wisdom is discrete, and the Sages prohibited the latter but not the former.
ืืืืืช ืืืื ืืช ืื ืืกืืจื ืืืืืจ ืจื ืืืืื ืืืจ ืฉืืืื ืืฉืื ืจืื ืฉืืขืื ืื ืืืืืื ืืื ืืืชืื ืขืื ื ืขืืืื ืื ืคืฉื ืืื ืื ืืช ืขืืจื ืืืฃ ืืืืื ืืื ืืืืช ืืื ืืืฉ ืืืืช ืืืื ืชืืจื ืืืืฉ ืืืืช ืืืื ืืืืช ืืืื ืืช ืืื ื ืฉืชืืืจ ืืื ืืื ืื ื ืืื ืืื ืืื ืืื ืืขืกืื
The Gemara poses a question: And is Greek wisdom prohibited? But didnโt Rav Yehuda say that Shmuel said in the name of Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel: What is the meaning of that which is written: โMy eye affected my soul, due to all the daughters of my cityโ (Lamentations 3:51)? There were a thousand children in my fatherโs house, the princesโ household. Five hundred of them learned Torah, and the other five hundred learned Greek wisdom, and there only remained of them, after the bar Kokheva revolt, me, here in Eretz Yisrael, and the son of my fatherโs brother, who lives in Asia Minor [Asya]. The fact that Rabban Gamliel allowed half of his household to study Greek wisdom indicates that it is permitted.
ืฉืื ื ืฉื ืืืช ืจืื ืืืืืื ืืงืจืืืื ืืืืืืช ืืื ืืชื ืื ืืกืคืจ ืงืืื ืืจื ืื ืืืจืื ืืืืืจื ืืืืืืืก ืื ืจืืืื ืืชืืจื ืืกืคืจ ืงืืื ืฉืืื ืงืจืื ืืืืืืช ืฉื ืืืช ืจืื ืืืืืื ืืชืืจื ืืื ืืืืช ืืืื ืืช ืืคื ื ืฉืงืจืืืื ืืืืืืช:
The Gemara answers: The members of the house of Rabban Gamliel are different, as they were close to the monarchy, and therefore had to learn Greek wisdom in order to converse with people of authority. As it is taught in a baraita (Tosefta, Shabbat 7:1): One who cuts his hair in the komi style, which was the gentile fashion of cutting and wearing the hair, is considered to be acting in the ways of the Amorites, and it is prohibited to act in their way. However, they permitted Avtolos ben Reuven to cut his hair in the komi style, as he is close to the monarchy, and similarly they permitted the house of Rabban Gamliel to study Greek wisdom, because they are close to the monarchy.
ืืคืืืืืก ืืืืจืื ืืืจื ืฉืื ืชืฆื ืืื ืืืคืจืืื ืืืืณ: ืืื ืืขืื ืืฉืื ืฆื ืืขืืชื:
ยง The mishna taught: In the last war the Sages decreed that a bride may not go out in a palanquin inside the city, but the later Sages permitted it. The Gemara explains: What is the reason they permitted this practice? Due to modesty, so that brides should not have to go out into the street and be seen by all.
ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืืืื ื ืืืื ืืืืื: ืชื ื ืจืื ื ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืืืืขืืจ ื ืื ื ืกืคืจ ืชืืจื ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืืืืฉืข ืืืื ืขืฆื ืืืืฉืื ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืขืงืืื ืืืื ืืจืืขื ืชืืจื ืื ืกืชืชืื ืืขืืื ืืช ืืืืื
The mishna taught that from the time when Rabban Yoแธฅanan ben Zakkai died, wisdom ceased. The Sages taught: From the time when Rabbi Eliezer died, it was as if the Torah scroll had been interred, as he had memorized many secrets of the Torah. From the time when Rabbi Yehoshua died, council and deliberate thought ceased, as he had the sharpest mind in Israel. From the time when Rabbi Akiva died, the powerful arm of Torah, meaning the exposition of all the details of Torah scripture, ceased, and the fountains of wisdom were sealed.
ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืืืขืืจ ืื ืขืืจืื ืืืื ืขืืจืืช ืืืื ืฉืขืืจืช ืืืืื ืขืฉืจื ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืื ืื ื ืื ืืืกื ืืืื ืื ืฉื ืืขืฉื ืืฉืืช ืืื ืืืกื ืื ืงืืื ืชื ืืืื ืืกืืืื ืืืื ื ืงืจื ืฉืื ืืื ืืืกื ืื ืงืืื ืชื ืฉืืื ืืงืื ื ืืกืืืื
From the time when Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya died, the crowns of wisdom ceased, as โthe crown of the wise is their richesโ (Proverbs 14:24), and he was both a great Torah scholar and a very wealthy man. From the time when Rabbi แธคanina ben Dosa died, the men of wondrous deeds ceased. From the time when Abba Yosei ben Katonta died, the pious men ceased. And why was he called Abba Yosei ben Katonta? Because he was among the diminished [miktanei] of the pious people, i.e., he lived in an era when the pious had become few.
ืืฉืืช ืื ืขืืื ืืืื ืืฉืงืื ืื ืืฉืืช ืื ืืืื ืืืื ืืืจืฉื ืื ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืฉืืขืื ืื ืืืืืื ืขืื ืืืืื ืืจืื ืฆืจืืช ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืืืืคืื ืฆืจืืช;
From the time when ben Azzai died, the diligent ceased; from the time when ben Zoma died, the exegetists ceased. From the time when Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel died, locusts ascended upon the land and troubles proliferated. From the time when Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi died, the troubles multiplied.
ืืฉืืช ืจืื ืืืื ืขื ืื ืืืจืืช ืืื: ืืืจ ืืื ืจื ืืืกืฃ ืืชื ื ืื ืชืืชื ื ืขื ืื ืืืืื ืื ื ืืืจ ืืื ืจื ื ืืื ืืชื ื ืื ืชืืชื ื ืืจืืช ืืื ืืืืื ืื ื:
The final line of the mishna states that from the time when Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi died, humility and fear of sin ceased. Rav Yosef said to the tanna who reviewed the mishna: Do not teach that humility ceased, for there is still one who is humble, namely me. Rav Naแธฅman similarly said to the tanna who reviewed the mishna: Do not teach that fear of sin ceased, for there is still one who fears sin, namely me.
ืืืจื ืขืื ืขืืื ืขืจืืคื ืืกืืืงื ืื ืืกืืช ืกืืื