This week’s learning is sponsored by Robert and Paula Cohen in loving memory of Joseph Cohen, Yosef ben Moshe HaCohen, z”l. “He was hard working, loved to sing, esp. as a chazan, and was very dedicated to his family and community.”
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Summary
After connecting a verse from Kohelet 10:10 to rain not coming, another explanation is brought, connecting that verse to Torah scholars. The importance of studying properly is stressed, as well as the importance of a teacher treating their students properly. What should be done if the people don’t pray properly for rain to come? Who is the right type of person whose prayers will be heard, and how important is intent in prayer? God is stricter with those who adhere strictly to God. When the rains are stopped, it is likened to labor pains. The Gemara cites three words used to describe a woman in childbirth or during pregnancy that are mentioned in the context of rain as well. One cannot pray for two things at the same time, so if there is a famine and a plague, what should one pray for? Why can’t one pray for two things at the same time? There was a time when fasts were prohibited by the gentile authorities. What did Rabbi Zeira suggest doing when there was no rain? On what basis? Rain is not always a good thing, as sometimes it makes things inconvenient for people. Miracles can only happen in a place that is hidden from the eye. Another reason why God doesn’t bring the rains is when people say they will give charity, but they don’t.
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This week’s learning is sponsored by Robert and Paula Cohen in loving memory of Joseph Cohen, Yosef ben Moshe HaCohen, z”l. “He was hard working, loved to sing, esp. as a chazan, and was very dedicated to his family and community.”
Taanit 8
שֶׁתַּלְמוּדוֹ קָשֶׁה עָלָיו כַּבַּרְזֶל — בִּשְׁבִיל מִשְׁנָתוֹ שֶׁאֵינָהּ סְדוּרָה עָלָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְהוּא לֹא פָנִים קִלְקַל״.
whose studies are hard as iron for him, i.e., difficult to understand, this is due to his lack of familiarity with the Mishna, which is not organized for him. If the Mishna is unclear, any further study of Gemara is rendered all the more difficult, as it is stated: “And does not whet [kilkal] the edge [panim]” (Ecclesiastes 10:10). As panim can also mean surface, this indicates that the surface, i.e., the basic statements of the Mishna, is corrupted. As stated previously, kilkal can also mean corrupted.
מַאי תַּקַּנְתֵּיהּ — יַרְבֶּה בִּישִׁיבָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַחֲיָלִים יְגַבֵּר וְיִתְרוֹן הַכְשֵׁיר חׇכְמָה״. כׇּל שֶׁכֵּן אִם מִשְׁנָתוֹ סְדוּרָה לוֹ מֵעִיקָּרָא.
What is his remedy? He must increase the time he sits and studies, as it is stated: “Then must he increase his strength” (Ecclesiastes 10:10). The last part of the verse: “But wisdom is profitable to direct,” means that all the more so, if his study of the Mishna is organized for him from the beginning, he will avoid this trouble.
כִּי הָא דְּרֵישׁ לָקִישׁ הֲוָה מְסַדַּר מַתְנִיתֵיהּ אַרְבְּעִין זִמְנִין, כְּנֶגֶד אַרְבָּעִים יוֹם שֶׁנִּיתְּנָה תּוֹרָה, וְעָיֵיל לְקַמֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן. רַב אַדָּא בַּר אַהֲבָה מְסַדַּר מַתְנִיתֵיהּ עֶשְׂרִין וְאַרְבַּע זִמְנִין, כְּנֶגֶד תּוֹרָה נְבִיאִים וּכְתוּבִים, וְעָיֵיל לְקַמֵּיהּ דְּרָבָא.
That is like this practice of Reish Lakish, who would review his studies forty times, corresponding to the forty days in which the Torah was given to Moses at Sinai, and only afterward would he go before Rabbi Yoḥanan to study from his teacher. Similarly, Rav Adda bar Ahava would review his learning twenty-four times, corresponding to the twenty-four books in the Torah, Prophets, and Writings, i.e., the Bible, and only afterward go before Rava to study with him.
רָבָא אָמַר: אִם רָאִיתָ תַּלְמִיד שֶׁתַּלְמוּדוֹ קָשֶׁה עָלָיו כַּבַּרְזֶל — בִּשְׁבִיל רַבּוֹ שֶׁאֵינוֹ מַסְבִּיר לוֹ פָּנִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְהוּא לֹא פָנִים קִלְקַל״.
With regard to the aforementioned verse from Ecclesiastes, Rava said: If you see a student whose studies are as difficult for him as iron, this is due to his teacher, who does not show him a friendly countenance, but is overly strict with him. This practice inhibits the student’s learning, as it is stated: “And it has not whetted the surface [panim]” (Ecclesiastes 10:10). As explained previously, panim can also mean countenance.
מַאי תַּקַּנְתֵּיהּ — יַרְבֶּה עָלָיו רֵעִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַחֲיָלִים יְגַבֵּר וְיִתְרוֹן הַכְשֵׁיר חׇכְמָה״. כׇּל שֶׁכֵּן אִם הוּכְשְׁרוּ מַעֲשָׂיו בִּפְנֵי רַבּוֹ מֵעִיקָּרָא.
What is the remedy for this student? He must increase the number of friends he sends to the teacher to intercede for him, as it is stated: “Then must he increase his strength.” The term used for strength, ḥayalim, can also mean soldiers or colleagues. Nevertheless: “But wisdom is profitable to direct,” meaning that all the more so would he be spared this trouble if his deeds were properly directed before his teacher from the beginning.
וְאָמַר רַבִּי אַמֵּי, מַאי דִּכְתִיב: ״אִם יִשֹּׁךְ הַנָּחָשׁ בְּלוֹא לָחַשׁ וְאֵין יִתְרוֹן לְבַעַל הַלָּשׁוֹן״, אִם רָאִיתָ דּוֹר שֶׁהַשָּׁמַיִם מִשְׁתַּכִּין כִּנְחֹשֶׁת מִלְּהוֹרִיד טַל וּמָטָר — בִּשְׁבִיל לוֹחֲשֵׁי לְחִישׁוֹת שֶׁאֵין בַּדּוֹר.
§ The Gemara returns to the topic of rain. And Rabbi Ami said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “If the serpent [naḥash] bites [yishokh] before it is charmed [laḥash], then the charmer has no advantage” (Ecclesiastes 10:11)? If you see a generation for whom the heavens corrode [meshatkhin] like copper [neḥoshet], which prevents them from bringing down dew and rain, this is due to the lack of those who whisper quiet [loḥashei leḥishot] prayers in the generation.
מַאי תַּקָּנָתָן — יֵלְכוּ אֵצֶל מִי שֶׁיּוֹדֵעַ לִלְחוֹשׁ, דִּכְתִיב: ״יַגִּיד עָלָיו רֵעוֹ״, ״וְאֵין יתְרוֹן לְבַעַל הַלָּשׁוֹן״. וּמִי שֶׁאֶפְשָׁר לוֹ לִלְחוֹשׁ וְאֵינוֹ לוֹחֵשׁ, מָה הֲנָאָה יֵשׁ לוֹ?
What is their remedy? They should go to one who knows how to whisper prayers in the proper manner, as it is written: “Its noise tells concerning it” (Job 36:33). As for the phrase: “Then the charmer has no advantage,” this is referring to one who is able to whisper his prayers correctly and yet does not whisper them correctly. In this case, of what benefit to him is his ability to pray?
וְאִם לָחַשׁ וְלֹא נַעֲנָה, מַאי תַּקַּנְתֵּיהּ? יֵלֵךְ אֵצֶל חָסִיד שֶׁבַּדּוֹר, וְיַרְבֶּה עָלָיו בִּתְפִלָּה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיְצַו עָלֶיהָ בְּמַפְגִּיעַ״, וְאֵין פְּגִיעָה אֶלָּא תְּפִילָּה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְאַתָּה אַל תִּתְפַּלֵּל בְּעַד הָעָם הַזֶּה וְאַל תִּשָּׂא בַעֲדָם רִנָּה וּתְפִלָּה וְאַל תִּפְגַּע בִּי״.
And if he whispered his prayers and yet was not answered, what is his remedy? He should go to the most pious individual of the generation, and this pious individual will increase his prayers on his behalf, as it is stated one verse earlier: “And He has commanded it due to imploring” (Job 36:32). And “imploring” means nothing other than prayer, as it is stated: “Therefore, do not pray you for this nation, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither implore Me” (Jeremiah 7:16).
וְאִם לָחַשׁ וְעָלְתָה בְּיָדוֹ, וּמֵגִיס דַּעְתּוֹ עָלָיו — מֵבִיא אַף לָעוֹלָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״מִקְנֶה אַף עַל עוֹלֶה״.
And if he whispered his prayers for rain, and his prayers were successful, i.e., rain fell as he requested, and he becomes prideful as a result, he brings anger into the world, as it is stated: “The cattle [mikne] also [af ] concerning the rising storm [al oleh]” (Job 36:33). This verse can be read homiletically as: Anger [af ] is acquired [mikne] by one who raises [al oleh] his pride.
רָבָא אָמַר: שְׁנֵי תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים שֶׁיּוֹשְׁבִין בְּעִיר אַחַת וְאֵין נוֹחִין זֶה לָזֶה בַּהֲלָכָה — מִתְקַנְּאִין בָּאַף וּמַעֲלִין אוֹתוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״מִקְנֶה אַף עַל עוֹלֶה״.
Following the same interpretation of this verse, Rava said: If there are two Torah scholars who live in one city, and they are not courteous with one another in their discussions of halakha, they arouse anger upon the world and cause it to rise up, as it is stated: “Anger is acquired by one who raises his pride.”
אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ, מַאי דִּכְתִיב: ״אִם יִשֹּׁךְ הַנָּחָשׁ בְּלוֹא לָחַשׁ וְאֵין יִתְרוֹן לְבַעַל הַלָּשׁוֹן״, לְעָתִיד לָבוֹא מִתְקַבְּצוֹת וּבָאוֹת כׇּל הַחַיּוֹת אֵצֶל הַנָּחָשׁ, וְאוֹמְרִים לוֹ: אֲרִי דּוֹרֵס וְאוֹכֵל, זְאֵב טוֹרֵף וְאוֹכֵל, אַתָּה מָה הֲנָאָה יֵשׁ לְךָ? אֹמֵר לָהֶם: ״וְאֵין יִתְרוֹן לְבַעַל הַלָּשׁוֹן״.
The Gemara cites another interpretation of the aforementioned verse. Reish Lakish said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “If the snake bites before it is charmed, then the charmer has no advantage” (Ecclesiastes 10:11)? In the future, all the animals will gather together and come to the snake and say to him: A lion mauls its prey and eats it; a wolf tears apart its prey and eats it; but you, what pleasure do you have when you bite a person, as you are incapable of eating him? The snake will say to them: “The charmer has no advantage.” The Hebrew phrase for snake charmer literally means the master of the tongue, and therefore the snake is saying that he has a more difficult question: What pleasure does a slanderer receive, as he inflicts more harm for which he obtains no physical enjoyment.
אָמַר רַבִּי אַמֵּי: אֵין תְּפִלָּתוֹ שֶׁל אָדָם נִשְׁמַעַת אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן מֵשִׂים נַפְשׁוֹ בְּכַפּוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״נִשָּׂא לְבָבֵנוּ אֶל כַּפָּיִם״, אִינִי?! וְהָא אוֹקֵים שְׁמוּאֵל אָמוֹרָא עֲלֵיהּ וּדְרַשׁ: ״וַיְפַתּוּהוּ בְּפִיהֶם וּבִלְשׁוֹנָם יְכַזְּבוּ לוֹ וְלִבָּם לֹא נָכוֹן עִמּוֹ וְלֹא נֶאֶמְנוּ בִּבְרִיתוֹ״, וְאַף עַל פִּי כֵן — ״וְהוּא רַחוּם יְכַפֵּר עָוֹן וְגוֹ׳״!
Rabbi Ami said: A person’s prayer is heard only if he places his soul in his palm, i.e., one must submit his entire soul with sincerity in his outstretched hands as he prays, as it is stated: “Let us lift up our heart with our hands” (Lamentations 3:41). The Gemara raises an objection: Is that so? But Shmuel once established for himself an interpreter to teach in public, and interpreted homiletically the verse: “But they beguiled Him with their mouth and lied to Him with their tongue, for their heart was not steadfast with Him, neither were they faithful to His covenant” (Psalms 78:36–37), and nevertheless the psalm continues: “But He, being full of compassion, forgives iniquity, and does not destroy” (Psalms 78:38). This indicates that all prayers are accepted, even if they lack sincerity.
לָא קַשְׁיָא: כָּאן בְּיָחִיד, כָּאן בְּצִבּוּר.
The Gemara responds: This is not difficult, as here Rabbi Ami is referring to an individual who prays without sincerity and consequently his prayer goes unheard, whereas there Shmuel is saying that when one prays with the community, even if his prayers are deficient, they are accepted in the merit of the congregation.
אָמַר רַבִּי אַמֵּי: אֵין גְּשָׁמִים יוֹרְדִין אֶלָּא בִּשְׁבִיל בַּעֲלֵי אֲמָנָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אֱמֶת מֵאֶרֶץ תִּצְמָח וְצֶדֶק מִשָּׁמַיִם נִשְׁקָף״.
Rabbi Ami further said: Rain falls only due to faithful people, as it is stated: “Truth springs out of the earth, and righteousness has looked down from heaven” (Psalms 85:12). When “truth springs out of the earth,” i.e., if people are faithful, they will find that “righteousness,” in the form of rain “has looked down from heaven.”
וְאָמַר רַבִּי אַמֵּי: בֹּא וּרְאֵה כַּמָּה גְּדוֹלִים בַּעֲלֵי אֲמָנָה, מִנַּיִין — מֵחוּלְדָּה וּבוֹר. וּמָה הַמַּאֲמִין בְּחוּלְדָּה וּבוֹר — כָּךְ, הַמַּאֲמִין בְּהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא — עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה.
And Rabbi Ami said: Come and see how great the faithful people are, and how God assists them. From where is it derived? From the story of the marten [ḥulda] and the pit. Once a young man saved a girl who had fallen into a pit. After rescuing her they swore to remain faithful to each other, and they declared the pit and a passing marten their witnesses. As time went by the young man forgot his vow and married another woman. They had two children, both of whom died tragically, one by falling into a pit and the other when he was bitten by a marten. Their unusual deaths led the young man to realize his error and he returned to the first woman. And if this is the outcome for one who believes in signs from a pit and a marten, all the more so for one who has faith in the Holy One, Blessed be He.
אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: כׇּל הַמַּצְדִּיק אֶת עַצְמוֹ מִלְּמַטָּה — מַצְדִּיקִין עָלָיו הַדִּין מִלְּמַעְלָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״אֱמֶת מֵאֶרֶץ תִּצְמָח וְצֶדֶק מִשָּׁמַיִם נִשְׁקָף״. רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אָבִין אָמַר רַב הוּנָא, מֵהָכָא: ״וּכְיִרְאָתְךָ עֶבְרָתֶךָ״.
§ Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Whoever is exacting with himself, by striving to act righteously in every way on earth below, he is judged in an exact manner in Heaven above, in order to improve him further still, as it is stated: “Truth springs out of the earth, and righteousness has looked down from heaven” (Psalms 85:12). Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Avin said that Rav Huna said that this idea is derived from here: “And Your wrath is according to the fear that is due to You” (Psalms 90:11). The level of God’s wrath correlates with the offender’s fear of God.
רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ אָמַר מֵהָכָא: ״פָּגַעְתָּ אֶת שָׂשׂ וְעֹשֵׂה צֶדֶק בִּדְרָכֶיךָ יִזְכְּרוּךָ הֵן אַתָּה קָצַפְתָּ וַנֶּחֱטָא בָּהֶם עוֹלָם וְנִוָּשֵׁעַ״. אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: כׇּל הַשָּׂמֵחַ בְּיִסּוּרִין שֶׁבָּאִין עָלָיו — מֵבִיא יְשׁוּעָה לָעוֹלָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״בָּהֶם עוֹלָם וְנִוָּשֵׁעַ״.
Reish Lakish said that this principle is derived from here: “You took him away who joyfully performed righteousness, those who remembered You in Your ways, behold You were wroth, and we sinned, upon them have we stayed of old, that we might be saved” (Isaiah 64:4). This verse also teaches that God displays wrath specifically due to the transgressions of those who are accustomed to acting righteously. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said concerning the same verse: Whoever is joyful in the suffering that comes upon him brings salvation to the world [olam], as it is stated: “Upon them have we stayed of old [olam], that we might be saved.”
אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ, מַאי דִּכְתִיב: ״וְעָצַר אֶת הַשָּׁמַיִם״, בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁהַשָּׁמַיִם נֶעֱצָרִין מִלְּהוֹרִיד טַל וּמָטָר — דּוֹמֶה לְאִשָּׁה שֶׁמְּחַבֶּלֶת וְאֵינָהּ יוֹלֶדֶת. וְהַיְינוּ דְּאָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ מִשּׁוּם בַּר קַפָּרָא: נֶאֶמְרָה עֲצִירָה בִּגְשָׁמִים וְנֶאֶמְרָה עֲצִירָה בְּאִשָּׁה,
§ Returning to the topic of rain, Reish Lakish said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “And He will close up the heavens” (Deuteronomy 11:17)? This verse teaches that when the heavens are closed up from bringing down dew and rain, this is similar to a woman who has the pangs of labor and yet does not give birth, as the heavens themselves suffer from their inability to bring down rain and dew. And this is what Reish Lakish said in the name of bar Kappara: Closing up is stated with regard to rains, and closing up is likewise stated with regard to a woman.
נֶאֶמְרָה עֲצִירָה בְּאִשָּׁה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כִּי עָצֹר עָצַר ה׳ בְּעַד כׇּל רֶחֶם״, וְנֶאֶמְרָה עֲצִירָה בִּגְשָׁמִים, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְעָצַר אֶת הַשָּׁמַיִם״.
Reish Lakish elaborates: Closing up is stated with regard to a woman who cannot give birth, as it is stated: “For the Lord has fast closed up all the wombs” (Genesis 20:18), and closing up is stated with regard to rains, as it is written: “And He will close up the heavens” (Deuteronomy 11:17).
נֶאֱמַר לֵידָה בְּאִשָּׁה וְנֶאֱמַר לֵידָה בִּגְשָׁמִים, נֶאֱמַר לֵידָה בְּאִשָּׁה, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַתַּהַר וַתֵּלֶד בֵּן״, וְנֶאֱמַר לֵידָה בִּגְשָׁמִים, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְהוֹלִידָהּ וְהִצְמִיחָהּ״.
Likewise, an expression of giving birth is stated with regard to a woman, and an expression of giving birth is also stated with regard to rain. Specifically, giving birth is stated with regard to a woman, as it is written in the case of Rachel, when God had mercy on her: “And she conceived and gave birth to a son” (Genesis 30:23). And giving birth is stated with regard to rain, as it is written: “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and does not return there, except it waters the earth and causes it to give birth and bud” (Isaiah 55:10).
נֶאֱמַר פְּקִידָה בְּאִשָּׁה, וְנֶאֱמַר פְּקִידָה בִּגְשָׁמִים. נֶאֱמַר פְּקִידָה בְּאִשָּׁה, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַה׳ פָּקַד אֶת שָׂרָה״, וְנֶאֱמַר פְּקִידָה בִּגְשָׁמִים, דִּכְתִיב: ״פָּקַדְתָּ הָאָרֶץ וַתְּשֹׁקְקֶהָ רַבַּת תַּעְשְׁרֶנָּה פֶּלֶג אֱלֹהִים מָלֵא מָיִם״.
Lastly, an expression of remembering is stated in connection with a woman, and an expression of remembering is also stated in connection to rain. Remembering is stated in connection with a woman, as it is written: “And the Lord remembered Sarah” (Genesis 21:1), and remembering is stated in connection to rain, as it is written: “You have remembered the earth and have watered it; greatly enriching it, with the pool of God that is full of water” (Psalms 65:10).
מַאי ״פֶּלֶג אֱלֹהִים מָלֵא מַיִם״? תָּנָא: כְּמִין קוּבָּה יֵשׁ בָּרָקִיעַ, שֶׁמִּמֶּנָּה גְּשָׁמִים יוֹצְאִין.
The Gemara asks a question with regard to this verse. What is the meaning of the phrase: “With the pool of God that is full of water”? The Gemara answers that it was taught in a baraita: There is a kind of vault [kuba] in the sky, out of which the rain falls.
אָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי, מַאי דִּכְתִיב: ״אִם לְשֵׁבֶט אִם לְאַרְצוֹ אִם לְחֶסֶד יַמְצִאֵהוּ״. ״אִם לְשֵׁבֶט״ — בְּהָרִים וּבִגְבָעוֹת, ״אִם לְחֶסֶד יַמְצִאֵהוּ לְאַרְצוֹ״ — בְּשָׂדוֹת וּבִכְרָמִים.
Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Whatever he commands them upon the face of the habitable world, whether it is for correction, or for His earth, or for mercy that He causes it to come” (Job 37:12–13)? The phrase “whether it is for correction” means that if the people are judged unfavorably, the rain will fall on the mountains and on the hills. The phrase “or for His earth” indicates that if they have been judged “for mercy,” He will cause it to come “for His earth,” on the fields and on the vineyards.
״אִם לְשֵׁבֶט״ — לְאִילָנוֹת, ״אִם לְאַרְצוֹ״ — לִזְרָעִים, ״אִם לְחֶסֶד יַמְצִאֵהוּ״ — בּוֹרוֹת שִׁיחִין וּמְעָרוֹת.
Alternatively, the phrase “whether it is for correction” means that the rain will provide benefit only for the trees; “or for His earth” indicates that rain will fall solely for the benefit of seeds; and “or for mercy that He causes it to come” means that rain will fill the cisterns, ditches, and caves with enough water to last the dry season.
בִּימֵי רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי הֲוָה כַּפְנָא וּמוֹתָנָא, אָמְרִי: הֵיכִי נַעֲבֵיד? נִיבְעֵי רַחֲמֵי אַתַּרְתֵּי — לָא אֶפְשָׁר. אֶלָּא לִיבְעֵי רַחֲמֵי אַמּוֹתָנָא, וְכַפְנָא נִיסְבּוֹל. אֲמַר לְהוּ רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי: נִיבְעֵי רַחֲמֵי אַכַּפְנָא, דְּכִי יָהֵיב רַחֲמָנָא שׂוּבְעָא — לְחַיֵּי הוּא דְּיָהֵיב, דִּכְתִיב: ״פּוֹתֵחַ אֶת יָדֶךָ וּמַשְׂבִּיעַ לְכׇל חַי רָצוֹן״.
§ The Gemara relates: In the days of Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani there was a famine and a plague. The Sages said: What should we do? Should we pray for mercy for two troubles, both the famine and the plague? This is not possible, as it is improper to pray for the alleviation of two afflictions at once. Rather, let us pray for mercy for the plague, and as for the famine, we must bear it. Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani said to them: On the contrary, let us pray for mercy for the famine, as when the Merciful One provides plenty, He gives it for the sake of the living, i.e., if God answers this prayer then he will certainly bring an end to the plague as well, as it is written: “You open Your hand and satisfy every living thing with favor” (Psalms 145:16).
וּמְנָלַן דְּלָא מְצַלִּינַן אַתַּרְתֵּי — דִּכְתִיב: ״וַנָּצוּמָה וַנְּבַקְשָׁה מֵאֱלֹהֵינוּ עַל זֹאת״, מִכְּלָל דְּאִיכָּא אַחֲרִיתִי. בְּמַעְרְבָא אָמְרִי מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי חַגַּי מֵהָכָא: ״וְרַחֲמִין לְמִבְעֵא מִן קֳדָם אֱלָהּ שְׁמַיָּא עַל רָזָא דְּנָה״, מִכְּלָל דְּאִיכָּא אַחֲרִיתִי.
The Gemara explains: And from where do we derive that one should not pray for two troubles simultaneously? As it is written: “So we fasted and beseeched our God for this” (Ezra 8:23). From the fact that the verse states: “For this,” it may be inferred that there is another trouble about which the people did not pray. In the West, Eretz Yisrael, they say in the name of Rabbi Ḥaggai that this idea comes from here: “That they might ask mercy of the God of Heaven concerning this secret” (Daniel 2:18). From the fact that the verse states: “This secret,” it may be inferred that there is another trouble about which they did not pray.
בִּימֵי רַבִּי זֵירָא גְּזוּר שְׁמָדָא, וּגְזוּר דְּלָא לְמֵיתַב בְּתַעֲנִיתָא. אֲמַר לְהוּ רַבִּי זֵירָא: נְקַבְּלֵיהּ עִילָּוַון, וּלְכִי בָּטֵיל שְׁמָדָא לֵיתְבֵיהּ.
In a similar vein, the Gemara relates: In the days of Rabbi Zeira a decree of religious persecution was decreed against the Jews. And as the decree was that they were not allowed to fast, the Jews were certainly unable to fast and pray for the nullification of the decree itself. Rabbi Zeira said to the people: Let us take a fast upon ourselves, despite the fact that in practice we cannot observe it, and when the decree of religious persecution is annulled we will observe the fast.
אָמְרִי לֵיהּ: מְנָא לָךְ הָא? אֲמַר לְהוּ, דִּכְתִיב: ״וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלַי אַל תִּירָא דָנִיֵּאל כִּי מִן הַיּוֹם הָרִאשׁוֹן אֲשֶׁר נָתַתָּ אֶת לִבְּךָ לְהָבִין וּלְהִתְעַנּוֹת לִפְנֵי אֱלֹהֶיךָ נִשְׁמְעוּ דְבָרֶיךָ״.
They said to him: From where do you know this, the fact that one may take a fast upon himself that he cannot observe? Rabbi Zeira said to them that the reason is as it is written: “Then he said to me: Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to fast before your God, your words were heard” (Daniel 10:12). This verse indicates that from the moment one turns his heart to fast, his prayers are heard.
אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: אֲפִילּוּ שָׁנִים כִּשְׁנֵי אֵלִיָּהוּ, וְיָרְדוּ גְּשָׁמִים בְּעַרְבֵי שַׁבָּתוֹת — אֵינָן אֶלָּא סִימַן קְלָלָה. הַיְינוּ דְּאָמַר רַבָּה בַּר שֵׁילָא: קָשֶׁה יוֹמָא דְמִיטְרָא כְּיוֹמָא דְּדִינָא. אָמַר אַמֵּימָר: אִי לָא דִּצְרִיךְ לִבְרִיָּיתָא, בָּעֵינַן רַחֲמֵי וּמְבַטְּלִינַן לֵיהּ.
The Gemara returns to the topic of rain. Rabbi Yitzḥak said: Even in years like the years of Elijah, when God decreed that no rain would fall, if rain falls on Shabbat eves it is nothing other than a sign of a curse, as the rain disrupts the preparations for Shabbat. This is the same as that which Rabba bar Sheila said: A rainy day is as difficult as a judgment day. Ameimar even said: Were it not for the fact that rain is needed by people, we would pray for mercy and to annul it, due to the nuisances that rain causes.
וְאָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: שֶׁמֶשׁ בְּשַׁבָּת — צְדָקָה לַעֲנִיִּים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְזָרְחָה לָכֶם יִרְאֵי שְׁמִי שֶׁמֶשׁ צְדָקָה וּמַרְפֵּא״. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: גָּדוֹל יוֹם הַגְּשָׁמִים, שֶׁאֲפִילּוּ פְּרוּטָה שֶׁבַּכִּיס מִתְבָּרֶכֶת בּוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״לָתֵת מְטַר אַרְצְךָ בְּעִתּוֹ וּלְבָרֵךְ אֵת כׇּל מַעֲשֵׂה יָדֶךָ״.
And Rabbi Yitzḥak said: Sun on Shabbat is charity for the poor, who are then able to enjoy the outdoors without suffering from cold. As it is stated: “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness shall arise with healing in its wings” (Malachi 3:20). And Rabbi Yitzḥak further said: The day of the rains is great, as even a peruta in one’s pocket is blessed on it, as it is stated: “To give the rain of your land in its due time, and to bless all the work of your hand” (Deuteronomy 28:12).
וְאָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: אֵין הַבְּרָכָה מְצוּיָה אֶלָּא בְּדָבָר הַסָּמוּי מִן הָעַיִן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יְצַו ה׳ אִתְּךָ אֶת הַבְּרָכָה בַּאֲסָמֶיךָ״. תָּנָא דְּבֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל: אֵין הַבְּרָכָה מְצוּיָה אֶלָּא בְּדָבָר שֶׁאֵין הָעַיִן שׁוֹלֶטֶת בּוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״יְצַו ה׳ אִתְּךָ אֶת הַבְּרָכָה בַּאֲסָמֶיךָ״.
And apropos blessings, Rabbi Yitzḥak said: A blessing is found only in an object that is hidden [samui] from the eye, not in an item visible to all, as public miracles are exceedingly rare. As it is stated: “The Lord will command His blessing upon you in your barns [ba’asamekha]” (Deuteronomy 28:8). Rabbi Yitzḥak’s exposition is based on the linguistic similarity between samui and asamekha. Likewise, the school of Rabbi Yishmael taught: A blessing is found only in an object that is not exposed to the eye, as it is stated: “The Lord will command His blessing upon you in your barns.”
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: הַנִּכְנָס לָמוֹד אֶת גׇּרְנוֹ, אוֹמֵר: ״יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ שֶׁתִּשְׁלַח בְּרָכָה בְּמַעֲשֵׂה יָדֵנוּ״. הִתְחִיל לָמוֹד, אוֹמֵר: ״בָּרוּךְ הַשּׁוֹלֵחַ בְּרָכָה בַּכְּרִי הַזֶּה״. מָדַד וְאַחַר כָּךְ בֵּירַךְ — הֲרֵי זוֹ תְּפִלַּת שָׁוְא, לְפִי שֶׁאֵין הַבְּרָכָה מְצוּיָה לֹא בְּדָבָר הַשָּׁקוּל, וְלֹא בְּדָבָר הַמָּדוּד, וְלֹא בְּדָבָר הַמָּנוּי, אֶלָּא בְּדָבָר הַסָּמוּי מִן הָעַיִן.
The Sages taught: One who enters to measure produce in his granary recites: May it be Your will, Lord our God, that You send a blessing upon the work of our hands. After he has begun to measure, he recites: Blessed is He who sends a blessing upon this pile. If one first measured and afterward recited the blessing, it is a prayer in vain, as a blessing is not found either in an object that is weighed or in an object that is measured or in an object that is counted, as these would constitute open miracles. Rather, a blessing is found only in an object that is hidden from the eye.
קִבּוּץ, גְּיָיסוֹת, צְדָקָה, מַעֲשֵׂר, פַּרְנָס סִימָן. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: גָּדוֹל יוֹם הַגְּשָׁמִים כְּיוֹם קִבּוּץ גָּלִיּוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״שׁוּבָה ה׳ אֶת שְׁבִיתֵנוּ כַּאֲפִיקִים בַּנֶּגֶב״, וְאֵין ״אֲפִיקִים״ אֶלָּא מָטָר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיֵּרָאוּ אֲפִקֵי יָם״.
§ The Gemara cites five statements of Rabbi Yoḥanan, in accordance with the following mnemonic: Ingathering; armies; charity; tithe; sustainer. Rabbi Yoḥanan said: The day of the rains is as great as the day of the ingathering of the exiles, as it is stated: “Turn our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the dry land” (Psalms 126:4), and “streams” means nothing other than rain, as it is stated: “And the streams of the sea appeared” (II Samuel 22:16).
וְאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: גָּדוֹל יוֹם הַגְּשָׁמִים, שֶׁאֲפִילּוּ גְּיָיסוֹת פּוֹסְקוֹת בּוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״תְּלָמֶיהָ רַוֵּה נַחֵת גְּדוּדֶיהָ״. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אֵין הַגְּשָׁמִים נֶעֱצָרִין אֶלָּא בִּשְׁבִיל פּוֹסְקֵי צְדָקָה בָּרַבִּים וְאֵין נוֹתְנִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״נְשִׂיאִים וְרוּחַ וְגֶשֶׁם אָיִן אִישׁ מִתְהַלֵּל בְּמַתַּת שָׁקֶר״.
And Rabbi Yoḥanan said: The day of the rains is great, as even armies stop fighting on it due to the rain and mud. As it is stated: “Watering its ridges abundantly; settling down its furrows [gedudeha]” (Psalms 65:11). As the word gedudim can mean both furrows or armies and is spelled identically with each meaning, this alludes to the idea that during the rainy season soldiers become entrenched in place. And Rabbi Yoḥanan further said: Rain is withheld only due to those who pledge charity in public but do not give it, as it is stated: “As vapors and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of a false gift” (Proverbs 25:14).
וְאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן, מַאי דִּכְתִיב:
And Rabbi Yoḥanan said: What is the meaning of that which is written:
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I started learning with rabbis. I needed to know more than the stories. My first teacher to show me “the way of the Talmud” as well as the stories was Samara Schwartz.
Michelle Farber started the new cycle 2 yrs ago and I jumped on for the ride.
I do not look back.
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I am grateful for the structure of the Daf Yomi. When I am freer to learn to my heart’s content, I learn other passages in addition. But even in times of difficulty, I always know that I can rely on the structure and social support of Daf Yomi learners all over the world.
I am also grateful for this forum. It is very helpful to learn with a group of enthusiastic and committed women.
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Warwick, Rhode Island, United States
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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!
Jerusalem, Israel
I had never heard of Daf Yomi and after reading the book, The Weight of Ink, I explored more about it. I discovered that it was only 6 months before a whole new cycle started and I was determined to give it a try. I tried to get a friend to join me on the journey but after the first few weeks they all dropped it. I haven’t missed a day of reading and of listening to the podcast.
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Taanit 8
Χ©ΧΦΆΧͺΦΌΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧΧΦΉ Χ§ΦΈΧ©ΧΦΆΧ Χ’ΦΈΧΦΈΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΆΧ β ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°Χ ΦΈΧͺΧΦΉ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΦΈΧΦΌ Χ‘Φ°ΧΧΦΌΧ¨ΦΈΧ Χ’ΦΈΧΦΈΧΧ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΦΉΧ Χ€ΦΈΧ Φ΄ΧΧ Χ§Φ΄ΧΦ°Χ§Φ·ΧΧ΄.
whose studies are hard as iron for him, i.e., difficult to understand, this is due to his lack of familiarity with the Mishna, which is not organized for him. If the Mishna is unclear, any further study of Gemara is rendered all the more difficult, as it is stated: βAnd does not whet [kilkal] the edge [panim]β (Ecclesiastes 10:10). As panim can also mean surface, this indicates that the surface, i.e., the basic statements of the Mishna, is corrupted. As stated previously, kilkal can also mean corrupted.
ΧΦ·ΧΧ ΧͺΦΌΦ·Χ§ΦΌΦ·Χ Φ°ΧͺΦΌΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ β ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦΆΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ©ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΈΧ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΦ·ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΅Χ¨ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧͺΦ°Χ¨ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ΅ΧΧ¨ ΧΧΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΧ΄. ΧΦΌΧΧ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦ΅Χ ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°Χ ΦΈΧͺΧΦΉ Χ‘Φ°ΧΧΦΌΧ¨ΦΈΧ ΧΧΦΉ ΧΦ΅Χ’Φ΄ΧΧ§ΦΌΦΈΧ¨ΦΈΧ.
What is his remedy? He must increase the time he sits and studies, as it is stated: βThen must he increase his strengthβ (Ecclesiastes 10:10). The last part of the verse: βBut wisdom is profitable to direct,β means that all the more so, if his study of the Mishna is organized for him from the beginning, he will avoid this trouble.
ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¨Φ΅ΧΧ©Χ ΧΦΈΧ§Φ΄ΧΧ©Χ ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°Χ‘Φ·ΧΦΌΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ·ΧͺΦ°Χ Φ΄ΧΧͺΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦ°Χ’Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ Φ΄ΧΧ, ΧΦΌΦ°Χ ΦΆΧΦΆΧ ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ’Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΧΦΉΧ Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΦΌΦ΄ΧΧͺΦΌΦ°Χ ΦΈΧ ΧͺΦΌΧΦΉΧ¨ΦΈΧ, ΧΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦ°Χ§Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ ΦΈΧ. Χ¨Φ·Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ·ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°Χ‘Φ·ΧΦΌΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ·ΧͺΦ°Χ Φ΄ΧΧͺΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ Χ’ΦΆΧ©ΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦ·Χ’ ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ Φ΄ΧΧ, ΧΦΌΦ°Χ ΦΆΧΦΆΧ ΧͺΦΌΧΦΉΧ¨ΦΈΧ Χ Φ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΧΦ°ΧͺΧΦΌΧΦ΄ΧΧ, ΧΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦ°Χ§Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧΦΈΧ.
That is like this practice of Reish Lakish, who would review his studies forty times, corresponding to the forty days in which the Torah was given to Moses at Sinai, and only afterward would he go before Rabbi YoαΈ₯anan to study from his teacher. Similarly, Rav Adda bar Ahava would review his learning twenty-four times, corresponding to the twenty-four books in the Torah, Prophets, and Writings, i.e., the Bible, and only afterward go before Rava to study with him.
Χ¨ΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨: ΧΦ΄Χ Χ¨ΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧͺΦΈ ΧͺΦΌΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ Χ©ΧΦΆΧͺΦΌΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧΧΦΉ Χ§ΦΈΧ©ΧΦΆΧ Χ’ΦΈΧΦΈΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΆΧ β ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΧΦΉ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦΉ ΧΦ·Χ‘Φ°ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ¨ ΧΧΦΉ Χ€ΦΌΦΈΧ Φ΄ΧΧ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΦΉΧ Χ€ΦΈΧ Φ΄ΧΧ Χ§Φ΄ΧΦ°Χ§Φ·ΧΧ΄.
With regard to the aforementioned verse from Ecclesiastes, Rava said: If you see a student whose studies are as difficult for him as iron, this is due to his teacher, who does not show him a friendly countenance, but is overly strict with him. This practice inhibits the studentβs learning, as it is stated: βAnd it has not whetted the surface [panim]β (Ecclesiastes 10:10). As explained previously, panim can also mean countenance.
ΧΦ·ΧΧ ΧͺΦΌΦ·Χ§ΦΌΦ·Χ Φ°ΧͺΦΌΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ β ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦΆΧ Χ’ΦΈΧΦΈΧΧ Χ¨Φ΅Χ’Φ΄ΧΧ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΦ·ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΅Χ¨ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧͺΦ°Χ¨ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ΅ΧΧ¨ ΧΧΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΧ΄. ΧΦΌΧΧ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦ΅Χ ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΧΦΌΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ°Χ¨ΧΦΌ ΧΦ·Χ’Φ²Χ©ΧΦΈΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ€Φ°Χ Φ΅Χ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΧΦΉ ΧΦ΅Χ’Φ΄ΧΧ§ΦΌΦΈΧ¨ΦΈΧ.
What is the remedy for this student? He must increase the number of friends he sends to the teacher to intercede for him, as it is stated: βThen must he increase his strength.β The term used for strength, αΈ₯ayalim, can also mean soldiers or colleagues. Nevertheless: βBut wisdom is profitable to direct,β meaning that all the more so would he be spared this trouble if his deeds were properly directed before his teacher from the beginning.
ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΅Χ, ΧΦ·ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ: Χ΄ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΉΧΦ° ΧΦ·Χ ΦΌΦΈΧΦΈΧ©Χ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ©Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦ΄ΧͺΦ°Χ¨ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ©ΧΧΦΉΧΧ΄, ΧΦ΄Χ Χ¨ΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧͺΦΈ ΧΦΌΧΦΉΧ¨ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦ·Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧΦ·ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧͺΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ Φ°ΧΦΉΧ©ΧΦΆΧͺ ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ·Χ ΧΦΌΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ¨ β ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΧΦΉΧΦ²Χ©ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ©ΧΧΦΉΧͺ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌΧΦΉΧ¨.
Β§ The Gemara returns to the topic of rain. And Rabbi Ami said: What is the meaning of that which is written: βIf the serpent [naαΈ₯ash] bites [yishokh] before it is charmed [laαΈ₯ash], then the charmer has no advantageβ (Ecclesiastes 10:11)? If you see a generation for whom the heavens corrode [meshatkhin] like copper [neαΈ₯oshet], which prevents them from bringing down dew and rain, this is due to the lack of those who whisper quiet [loαΈ₯ashei leαΈ₯ishot] prayers in the generation.
ΧΦ·ΧΧ ΧͺΦΌΦ·Χ§ΦΌΦΈΧ ΦΈΧͺΦΈΧ β ΧΦ΅ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ΅Χ¦ΦΆΧ ΧΦ΄Χ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ’Φ· ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ©Χ, ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ: Χ΄ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ Χ’ΦΈΧΦΈΧΧ Χ¨Φ΅Χ’ΧΦΉΧ΄, Χ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΧͺΦ°Χ¨ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ©ΧΧΦΉΧΧ΄. ΧΦΌΧΦ΄Χ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΆΧ€Φ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧ¨ ΧΧΦΉ ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ©Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦΉ ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ©Χ, ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ²Χ ΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΅Χ©Χ ΧΧΦΉ?
What is their remedy? They should go to one who knows how to whisper prayers in the proper manner, as it is written: βIts noise tells concerning itβ (Job 36:33). As for the phrase: βThen the charmer has no advantage,β this is referring to one who is able to whisper his prayers correctly and yet does not whisper them correctly. In this case, of what benefit to him is his ability to pray?
ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ©Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦΉΧ Χ Φ·Χ’Φ²Χ ΦΈΧ, ΧΦ·ΧΧ ΧͺΦΌΦ·Χ§ΦΌΦ·Χ Φ°ΧͺΦΌΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ? ΧΦ΅ΧΦ΅ΧΦ° ΧΦ΅Χ¦ΦΆΧ ΧΦΈΧ‘Φ΄ΧΧ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌΧΦΉΧ¨, ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΌΦΆΧ Χ’ΦΈΧΦΈΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧͺΦ°Χ€Φ΄ΧΦΌΦΈΧ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΦ·ΧΦ°Χ¦Φ·Χ Χ’ΦΈΧΦΆΧΧΦΈ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ·Χ€Φ°ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ’Φ·Χ΄, ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧ Χ€ΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ’ΦΈΧ ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧͺΦΌΦ°Χ€Φ΄ΧΧΦΌΦΈΧ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧͺΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦ·Χ ΧͺΦΌΦ΄ΧͺΦ°Χ€ΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΅Χ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦΈΧ’ΦΈΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΆΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ ΧͺΦΌΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ·Χ’Φ²ΧΦΈΧ Χ¨Φ΄Χ ΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΧͺΦ°Χ€Φ΄ΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ ΧͺΦΌΦ΄Χ€Φ°ΧΦΌΦ·Χ’ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ΄.
And if he whispered his prayers and yet was not answered, what is his remedy? He should go to the most pious individual of the generation, and this pious individual will increase his prayers on his behalf, as it is stated one verse earlier: βAnd He has commanded it due to imploringβ (Job 36:32). And βimploringβ means nothing other than prayer, as it is stated: βTherefore, do not pray you for this nation, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither implore Meβ (Jeremiah 7:16).
ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ©Χ ΧΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧΦ°ΧͺΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΧΦΉ, ΧΦΌΧΦ΅ΧΦ΄ΧΧ‘ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ’Φ°ΧͺΦΌΧΦΉ Χ’ΦΈΧΦΈΧΧ β ΧΦ΅ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ·Χ£ ΧΦΈΧ’ΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΦ΄Χ§Φ°Χ ΦΆΧ ΧΦ·Χ£ Χ’Φ·Χ Χ’ΧΦΉΧΦΆΧΧ΄.
And if he whispered his prayers for rain, and his prayers were successful, i.e., rain fell as he requested, and he becomes prideful as a result, he brings anger into the world, as it is stated: βThe cattle [mikne] also [af ] concerning the rising storm [al oleh]β (Job 36:33). This verse can be read homiletically as: Anger [af ] is acquired [mikne] by one who raises [al oleh] his pride.
Χ¨ΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ©ΧΦ°Χ Φ΅Χ ΧͺΦΌΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΧΦΉΧ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ’Φ΄ΧΧ¨ ΧΦ·ΧΦ·Χͺ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧ Χ ΧΦΉΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΆΧ ΧΦΈΧΦΆΧ ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ β ΧΦ΄ΧͺΦ°Χ§Φ·Χ ΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦ·Χ£ ΧΦΌΧΦ·Χ’Φ²ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΧΦΉΧͺΧΦΉ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΦ΄Χ§Φ°Χ ΦΆΧ ΧΦ·Χ£ Χ’Φ·Χ Χ’ΧΦΉΧΦΆΧΧ΄.
Following the same interpretation of this verse, Rava said: If there are two Torah scholars who live in one city, and they are not courteous with one another in their discussions of halakha, they arouse anger upon the world and cause it to rise up, as it is stated: βAnger is acquired by one who raises his pride.β
ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ΅ΧΧ©Χ ΧΦΈΧ§Φ΄ΧΧ©Χ, ΧΦ·ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ: Χ΄ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΉΧΦ° ΧΦ·Χ ΦΌΦΈΧΦΈΧ©Χ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ©Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦ΄ΧͺΦ°Χ¨ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ©ΧΧΦΉΧΧ΄, ΧΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΈΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ΄ΧͺΦ°Χ§Φ·ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¦ΧΦΉΧͺ ΧΦΌΧΦΈΧΧΦΉΧͺ ΧΦΌΧΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΧΦΉΧͺ ΧΦ΅Χ¦ΦΆΧ ΧΦ·Χ ΦΌΦΈΧΦΈΧ©Χ, ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΧΦΉ: ΧΦ²Χ¨Φ΄Χ ΧΦΌΧΦΉΧ¨Φ΅Χ‘ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ, ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΧΦΉΧ¨Φ΅Χ£ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ, ΧΦ·ΧͺΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ²Χ ΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΅Χ©Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦΈ? ΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ¨ ΧΦΈΧΦΆΧ: Χ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦ΄ΧͺΦ°Χ¨ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ©ΧΧΦΉΧΧ΄.
The Gemara cites another interpretation of the aforementioned verse. Reish Lakish said: What is the meaning of that which is written: βIf the snake bites before it is charmed, then the charmer has no advantageβ (Ecclesiastes 10:11)? In the future, all the animals will gather together and come to the snake and say to him: A lion mauls its prey and eats it; a wolf tears apart its prey and eats it; but you, what pleasure do you have when you bite a person, as you are incapable of eating him? The snake will say to them: βThe charmer has no advantage.β The Hebrew phrase for snake charmer literally means the master of the tongue, and therefore the snake is saying that he has a more difficult question: What pleasure does a slanderer receive, as he inflicts more harm for which he obtains no physical enjoyment.
ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΅Χ: ΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧͺΦΌΦ°Χ€Φ΄ΧΦΌΦΈΧͺΧΦΉ Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ Χ Φ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ’Φ·Χͺ ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΌΦ΅Χ ΧΦ΅Χ©ΧΦ΄ΧΧ Χ Φ·Χ€Φ°Χ©ΧΧΦΉ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ·Χ€ΦΌΧΦΉ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄Χ Φ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΌ ΧΦΆΧ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ€ΦΌΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ΄, ΧΦ΄ΧΧ Φ΄Χ?! ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΧΦΉΧ§Φ΅ΧΧ Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΈΧΧΦΉΧ¨ΦΈΧ Χ’Φ²ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦΌΧΦ°Χ¨Φ·Χ©Χ: Χ΄ΧΦ·ΧΦ°Χ€Φ·ΧͺΦΌΧΦΌΧΧΦΌ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ€Φ΄ΧΧΦΆΧ ΧΦΌΧΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΧΦΉΧ ΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΧΦΌ ΧΧΦΉ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΉΧ Χ ΦΈΧΧΦΉΧ Χ’Φ΄ΧΦΌΧΦΉ ΧΦ°ΧΦΉΧ Χ ΦΆΧΦΆΧΦ°Χ ΧΦΌ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧͺΧΦΉΧ΄, ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ£ Χ’Φ·Χ Χ€ΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ΅Χ β Χ΄ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧ Χ¨Φ·ΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ€ΦΌΦ΅Χ¨ Χ’ΦΈΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ³Χ΄!
Rabbi Ami said: A personβs prayer is heard only if he places his soul in his palm, i.e., one must submit his entire soul with sincerity in his outstretched hands as he prays, as it is stated: βLet us lift up our heart with our handsβ (Lamentations 3:41). The Gemara raises an objection: Is that so? But Shmuel once established for himself an interpreter to teach in public, and interpreted homiletically the verse: βBut they beguiled Him with their mouth and lied to Him with their tongue, for their heart was not steadfast with Him, neither were they faithful to His covenantβ (Psalms 78:36β37), and nevertheless the psalm continues: βBut He, being full of compassion, forgives iniquity, and does not destroyβ (Psalms 78:38). This indicates that all prayers are accepted, even if they lack sincerity.
ΧΦΈΧ Χ§Φ·Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ: ΧΦΌΦΈΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ, ΧΦΌΦΈΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¦Φ΄ΧΦΌΧΦΌΧ¨.
The Gemara responds: This is not difficult, as here Rabbi Ami is referring to an individual who prays without sincerity and consequently his prayer goes unheard, whereas there Shmuel is saying that when one prays with the community, even if his prayers are deficient, they are accepted in the merit of the congregation.
ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΅Χ: ΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΧΦΉΧ¨Φ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ’Φ²ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧ ΦΈΧ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΦ±ΧΦΆΧͺ ΧΦ΅ΧΦΆΧ¨ΦΆΧ₯ ΧͺΦΌΦ΄Χ¦Φ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°Χ¦ΦΆΧΦΆΧ§ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧΦ·ΧΦ΄Χ Χ Φ΄Χ©ΧΦ°Χ§ΦΈΧ£Χ΄.
Rabbi Ami further said: Rain falls only due to faithful people, as it is stated: βTruth springs out of the earth, and righteousness has looked down from heavenβ (Psalms 85:12). When βtruth springs out of the earth,β i.e., if people are faithful, they will find that βrighteousness,β in the form of rain βhas looked down from heaven.β
ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΅Χ: ΧΦΌΦΉΧ ΧΦΌΧ¨Φ°ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ’Φ²ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧ ΦΈΧ, ΧΦ΄Χ ΦΌΦ·ΧΦ΄ΧΧ β ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌΧΦ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΧΧΦΉΧ¨. ΧΦΌΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ²ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧΦ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΧΧΦΉΧ¨ β ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦ°, ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ²ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ·Χ§ΦΌΦΈΧΧΦΉΧ©Χ ΧΦΌΦΈΧ¨ΧΦΌΧΦ° ΧΧΦΌΧ β Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦ·Χͺ ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ.
And Rabbi Ami said: Come and see how great the faithful people are, and how God assists them. From where is it derived? From the story of the marten [αΈ₯ulda] and the pit. Once a young man saved a girl who had fallen into a pit. After rescuing her they swore to remain faithful to each other, and they declared the pit and a passing marten their witnesses. As time went by the young man forgot his vow and married another woman. They had two children, both of whom died tragically, one by falling into a pit and the other when he was bitten by a marten. Their unusual deaths led the young man to realize his error and he returned to the first woman. And if this is the outcome for one who believes in signs from a pit and a marten, all the more so for one who has faith in the Holy One, Blessed be He.
ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ ΦΈΧ: ΧΦΌΧΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ·Χ¦Φ°ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ§ ΧΦΆΧͺ Χ’Φ·Χ¦Φ°ΧΧΦΉ ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ β ΧΦ·Χ¦Φ°ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ§Φ΄ΧΧ Χ’ΦΈΧΦΈΧΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ·Χ’Φ°ΧΦΈΧ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΦ±ΧΦΆΧͺ ΧΦ΅ΧΦΆΧ¨ΦΆΧ₯ ΧͺΦΌΦ΄Χ¦Φ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°Χ¦ΦΆΧΦΆΧ§ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧΦ·ΧΦ΄Χ Χ Φ΄Χ©ΧΦ°Χ§ΦΈΧ£Χ΄. Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦΈΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·Χ ΧΧΦΌΧ ΦΈΧ, ΧΦ΅ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ: Χ΄ΧΦΌΧΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΈΧͺΦ°ΧΦΈ Χ’ΦΆΧΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧͺΦΆΧΦΈΧ΄.
Β§ Rabbi YoαΈ₯anan said: Whoever is exacting with himself, by striving to act righteously in every way on earth below, he is judged in an exact manner in Heaven above, in order to improve him further still, as it is stated: βTruth springs out of the earth, and righteousness has looked down from heavenβ (Psalms 85:12). Rabbi αΈ€iyya bar Avin said that Rav Huna said that this idea is derived from here: βAnd Your wrath is according to the fear that is due to Youβ (Psalms 90:11). The level of Godβs wrath correlates with the offenderβs fear of God.
Χ¨Φ΅ΧΧ©Χ ΧΦΈΧ§Φ΄ΧΧ©Χ ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ΅ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ: Χ΄Χ€ΦΌΦΈΧΦ·Χ’Φ°ΧͺΦΌΦΈ ΧΦΆΧͺ Χ©ΧΦΈΧ©Χ ΧΦ°Χ’ΦΉΧ©ΧΦ΅Χ Χ¦ΦΆΧΦΆΧ§ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧΦΆΧΧΦΈ ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¨ΧΦΌΧΦΈ ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ·ΧͺΦΌΦΈΧ Χ§ΦΈΧ¦Φ·Χ€Φ°ΧͺΦΌΦΈ ΧΦ·Χ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦΆΧ Χ’ΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°Χ Φ΄ΧΦΌΦΈΧ©ΧΦ΅Χ’Φ·Χ΄. ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ©ΧΦ»Χ’Φ· ΧΦΌΦΆΧ ΧΦ΅ΧΦ΄Χ: ΧΦΌΧΧ ΧΦ·Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧΦ΅ΧΦ· ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ‘ΦΌΧΦΌΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ Χ’ΦΈΧΦΈΧΧ β ΧΦ΅ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΧΦΌΧ’ΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧ’ΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦΆΧ Χ’ΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°Χ Φ΄ΧΦΌΦΈΧ©ΧΦ΅Χ’Φ·Χ΄.
Reish Lakish said that this principle is derived from here: βYou took him away who joyfully performed righteousness, those who remembered You in Your ways, behold You were wroth, and we sinned, upon them have we stayed of old, that we might be savedβ (Isaiah 64:4). This verse also teaches that God displays wrath specifically due to the transgressions of those who are accustomed to acting righteously. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said concerning the same verse: Whoever is joyful in the suffering that comes upon him brings salvation to the world [olam], as it is stated: βUpon them have we stayed of old [olam], that we might be saved.β
ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ΅ΧΧ©Χ ΧΦΈΧ§Φ΄ΧΧ©Χ, ΧΦ·ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ: Χ΄ΧΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧ¦Φ·Χ¨ ΧΦΆΧͺ ΧΦ·Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧΦ·ΧΦ΄ΧΧ΄, ΧΦΌΦ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧ’ΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦ·Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧΦ·ΧΦ΄Χ Χ ΦΆΧ’Φ±Χ¦ΦΈΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ·Χ ΧΦΌΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ¨ β ΧΦΌΧΦΉΧΦΆΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΆΧΦΆΧͺ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΦΈΧΦΌ ΧΧΦΉΧΦΆΧΦΆΧͺ. ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΧ ΧΦΌ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ΅ΧΧ©Χ ΧΦΈΧ§Φ΄ΧΧ©Χ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ¨ Χ§Φ·Χ€ΦΌΦΈΧ¨ΦΈΧ: Χ ΦΆΧΦΆΧΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧ Χ’Φ²Χ¦Φ΄ΧΧ¨ΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ°Χ ΦΆΧΦΆΧΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧ Χ’Φ²Χ¦Φ΄ΧΧ¨ΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ,
Β§ Returning to the topic of rain, Reish Lakish said: What is the meaning of that which is written: βAnd He will close up the heavensβ (Deuteronomy 11:17)? This verse teaches that when the heavens are closed up from bringing down dew and rain, this is similar to a woman who has the pangs of labor and yet does not give birth, as the heavens themselves suffer from their inability to bring down rain and dew. And this is what Reish Lakish said in the name of bar Kappara: Closing up is stated with regard to rains, and closing up is likewise stated with regard to a woman.
Χ ΦΆΧΦΆΧΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧ Χ’Φ²Χ¦Φ΄ΧΧ¨ΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ Χ’ΦΈΧ¦ΦΉΧ¨ Χ’ΦΈΧ¦Φ·Χ¨ ΧΧ³ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦΌΧΧ Χ¨ΦΆΧΦΆΧΧ΄, ΧΦ°Χ ΦΆΧΦΆΧΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧ Χ’Φ²Χ¦Φ΄ΧΧ¨ΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ, ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ: Χ΄ΧΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧ¦Φ·Χ¨ ΧΦΆΧͺ ΧΦ·Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧΦ·ΧΦ΄ΧΧ΄.
Reish Lakish elaborates: Closing up is stated with regard to a woman who cannot give birth, as it is stated: βFor the Lord has fast closed up all the wombsβ (Genesis 20:18), and closing up is stated with regard to rains, as it is written: βAnd He will close up the heavensβ (Deuteronomy 11:17).
Χ ΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°Χ ΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ, Χ ΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ, ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ: Χ΄ΧΦ·ΧͺΦΌΦ·ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ·ΧͺΦΌΦ΅ΧΦΆΧ ΧΦΌΦ΅ΧΧ΄, ΧΦ°Χ ΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ, ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ: Χ΄ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΈΧΦΌ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ¦Φ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΈΧΦΌΧ΄.
Likewise, an expression of giving birth is stated with regard to a woman, and an expression of giving birth is also stated with regard to rain. Specifically, giving birth is stated with regard to a woman, as it is written in the case of Rachel, when God had mercy on her: βAnd she conceived and gave birth to a sonβ (Genesis 30:23). And giving birth is stated with regard to rain, as it is written: βFor as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and does not return there, except it waters the earth and causes it to give birth and budβ (Isaiah 55:10).
Χ ΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ€ΦΌΦ°Χ§Φ΄ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ, ΧΦ°Χ ΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ€ΦΌΦ°Χ§Φ΄ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ. Χ ΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ€ΦΌΦ°Χ§Φ΄ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ, ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ: Χ΄ΧΦ·ΧΧ³ Χ€ΦΌΦΈΧ§Φ·Χ ΧΦΆΧͺ Χ©ΧΦΈΧ¨ΦΈΧΧ΄, ΧΦ°Χ ΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ€ΦΌΦ°Χ§Φ΄ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ, ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ: Χ΄Χ€ΦΌΦΈΧ§Φ·ΧΦ°ΧͺΦΌΦΈ ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ¨ΦΆΧ₯ ΧΦ·ΧͺΦΌΦ°Χ©ΧΦΉΧ§Φ°Χ§ΦΆΧΦΈ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ·Χͺ ΧͺΦΌΦ·Χ’Φ°Χ©ΧΦ°Χ¨ΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΈΧ Χ€ΦΌΦΆΧΦΆΧ ΧΦ±ΧΦΉΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΈΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ΄.
Lastly, an expression of remembering is stated in connection with a woman, and an expression of remembering is also stated in connection to rain. Remembering is stated in connection with a woman, as it is written: βAnd the Lord remembered Sarahβ (Genesis 21:1), and remembering is stated in connection to rain, as it is written: βYou have remembered the earth and have watered it; greatly enriching it, with the pool of God that is full of waterβ (Psalms 65:10).
ΧΦ·ΧΧ Χ΄Χ€ΦΌΦΆΧΦΆΧ ΧΦ±ΧΦΉΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΈΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦ΄ΧΧ΄? ΧͺΦΌΦΈΧ ΦΈΧ: ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ Χ§ΧΦΌΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦ΅Χ©Χ ΧΦΌΦΈΧ¨ΦΈΧ§Φ΄ΧΧ’Φ·, Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦΌΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΧΦΉΧ¦Φ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ.
The Gemara asks a question with regard to this verse. What is the meaning of the phrase: βWith the pool of God that is full of waterβ? The Gemara answers that it was taught in a baraita: There is a kind of vault [kuba] in the sky, out of which the rain falls.
ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ¨ Χ Φ·ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ Φ΄Χ, ΧΦ·ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ: Χ΄ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ΅ΧΦΆΧ ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°Χ¦ΧΦΉ ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦΆΧ‘ΦΆΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ°Χ¦Φ΄ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌΧ΄. Χ΄ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ΅ΧΦΆΧΧ΄ β ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΧΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ’ΧΦΉΧͺ, Χ΄ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦΆΧ‘ΦΆΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ°Χ¦Φ΄ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°Χ¦ΧΦΉΧ΄ β ΧΦΌΦ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧΧΦΉΧͺ ΧΦΌΧΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ.
Rabbi Shmuel bar NaαΈ₯mani said: What is the meaning of that which is written: βWhatever he commands them upon the face of the habitable world, whether it is for correction, or for His earth, or for mercy that He causes it to comeβ (Job 37:12β13)? The phrase βwhether it is for correctionβ means that if the people are judged unfavorably, the rain will fall on the mountains and on the hills. The phrase βor for His earthβ indicates that if they have been judged βfor mercy,β He will cause it to come βfor His earth,β on the fields and on the vineyards.
Χ΄ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ°Χ©ΧΦ΅ΧΦΆΧΧ΄ β ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΉΧͺ, Χ΄ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°Χ¦ΧΦΉΧ΄ β ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧ’Φ΄ΧΧ, Χ΄ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦΆΧ‘ΦΆΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ°Χ¦Φ΄ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌΧ΄ β ΧΦΌΧΦΉΧ¨ΧΦΉΧͺ Χ©ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΧΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧ¨ΧΦΉΧͺ.
Alternatively, the phrase βwhether it is for correctionβ means that the rain will provide benefit only for the trees; βor for His earthβ indicates that rain will fall solely for the benefit of seeds; and βor for mercy that He causes it to comeβ means that rain will fill the cisterns, ditches, and caves with enough water to last the dry season.
ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧΦ΅Χ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ¨ Χ Φ·ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ Φ΄Χ ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ€Φ°Χ ΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΧΧΦΉΧͺΦΈΧ ΦΈΧ, ΧΦΈΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄Χ: ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦ΄Χ Χ Φ·Χ’Φ²ΧΦ΅ΧΧ? Χ Φ΄ΧΧΦ°Χ’Φ΅Χ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦ²ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ·ΧͺΦΌΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧͺΦΌΦ΅Χ β ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΆΧ€Φ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧ¨. ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦ°Χ’Φ΅Χ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦ²ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΧΦΉΧͺΦΈΧ ΦΈΧ, ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ€Φ°Χ ΦΈΧ Χ Φ΄ΧΧ‘Φ°ΧΦΌΧΦΉΧ. ΧΦ²ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ¨ Χ Φ·ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ Φ΄Χ: Χ Φ΄ΧΧΦ°Χ’Φ΅Χ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦ²ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ·Χ€Φ°Χ ΦΈΧ, ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΈΧΦ΅ΧΧ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦ²ΧΦΈΧ ΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΧΦΌΧΦ°Χ’ΦΈΧ β ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΅Χ ΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ΅ΧΧ, ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ: Χ΄Χ€ΦΌΧΦΉΧͺΦ΅ΧΦ· ΧΦΆΧͺ ΧΦΈΧΦΆΧΦΈ ΧΦΌΧΦ·Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ’Φ· ΧΦ°ΧΧΧ ΧΦ·Χ Χ¨ΦΈΧ¦ΧΦΉΧΧ΄.
Β§ The Gemara relates: In the days of Rabbi Shmuel bar NaαΈ₯mani there was a famine and a plague. The Sages said: What should we do? Should we pray for mercy for two troubles, both the famine and the plague? This is not possible, as it is improper to pray for the alleviation of two afflictions at once. Rather, let us pray for mercy for the plague, and as for the famine, we must bear it. Rabbi Shmuel bar NaαΈ₯mani said to them: On the contrary, let us pray for mercy for the famine, as when the Merciful One provides plenty, He gives it for the sake of the living, i.e., if God answers this prayer then he will certainly bring an end to the plague as well, as it is written: βYou open Your hand and satisfy every living thing with favorβ (Psalms 145:16).
ΧΦΌΧΦ°Χ ΦΈΧΦ·Χ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°Χ¦Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ Φ·Χ ΧΦ·ΧͺΦΌΦ·Χ¨Φ°ΧͺΦΌΦ΅Χ β ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ: Χ΄ΧΦ·Χ ΦΌΦΈΧ¦ΧΦΌΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ·Χ ΦΌΦ°ΧΦ·Χ§Φ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΅ΧΦ±ΧΦΉΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦΌ Χ’Φ·Χ ΧΦΉΧΧͺΧ΄, ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ²Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧͺΦ΄Χ. ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ·Χ’Φ°Χ¨Φ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄Χ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΦΌΧΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ·Χ ΧΦ΅ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ: Χ΄ΧΦ°Χ¨Φ·ΧΦ²ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ’Φ΅Χ ΧΦ΄Χ Χ§Φ³ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ±ΧΦΈΧΦΌ Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ Χ’Φ·Χ Χ¨ΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ ΦΈΧΧ΄, ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦ²Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧͺΦ΄Χ.
The Gemara explains: And from where do we derive that one should not pray for two troubles simultaneously? As it is written: βSo we fasted and beseeched our God for thisβ (Ezra 8:23). From the fact that the verse states: βFor this,β it may be inferred that there is another trouble about which the people did not pray. In the West, Eretz Yisrael, they say in the name of Rabbi αΈ€aggai that this idea comes from here: βThat they might ask mercy of the God of Heaven concerning this secretβ (Daniel 2:18). From the fact that the verse states: βThis secret,β it may be inferred that there is another trouble about which they did not pray.
ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧΦ΅Χ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ΅ΧΧ¨ΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧ¨ Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ, ΧΦΌΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧ¨ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧͺΦ·Χ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧͺΦ·Χ’Φ²Χ Φ΄ΧΧͺΦΈΧ. ΧΦ²ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ΅ΧΧ¨ΦΈΧ: Χ Φ°Χ§Φ·ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ Χ’Φ΄ΧΧΦΌΦΈΧΦ·ΧΧ, ΧΦΌΧΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦ΅ΧΧ Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ΅ΧΧͺΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ.
In a similar vein, the Gemara relates: In the days of Rabbi Zeira a decree of religious persecution was decreed against the Jews. And as the decree was that they were not allowed to fast, the Jews were certainly unable to fast and pray for the nullification of the decree itself. Rabbi Zeira said to the people: Let us take a fast upon ourselves, despite the fact that in practice we cannot observe it, and when the decree of religious persecution is annulled we will observe the fast.
ΧΦΈΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄Χ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ: ΧΦ°Χ ΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΦ° ΧΦΈΧ? ΧΦ²ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ°ΧΧΦΌ, ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ: Χ΄ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΉΧΧΦΆΧ¨ ΧΦ΅ΧΦ·Χ ΧΦ·Χ ΧͺΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ¨ΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧ Φ΄ΧΦΌΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΈΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ©ΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ²Χ©ΧΦΆΧ¨ Χ ΦΈΧͺΦ·ΧͺΦΌΦΈ ΧΦΆΧͺ ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈ ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧͺΦ°Χ’Φ·Χ ΦΌΧΦΉΧͺ ΧΦ΄Χ€Φ°Χ Φ΅Χ ΧΦ±ΧΦΉΧΦΆΧΧΦΈ Χ Φ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ°Χ’ΧΦΌ ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ¨ΦΆΧΧΦΈΧ΄.
They said to him: From where do you know this, the fact that one may take a fast upon himself that he cannot observe? Rabbi Zeira said to them that the reason is as it is written: βThen he said to me: Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to fast before your God, your words were heardβ (Daniel 10:12). This verse indicates that from the moment one turns his heart to fast, his prayers are heard.
ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ΄Χ¦Φ°ΧΦΈΧ§: ΧΦ²Χ€Φ΄ΧΧΦΌΧΦΌ Χ©ΧΦΈΧ Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°Χ Φ΅Χ ΧΦ΅ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦΈΧΧΦΌ, ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ¨Φ°ΧΧΦΌ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ’Φ·Χ¨Φ°ΧΦ΅Χ Χ©ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧͺΧΦΉΧͺ β ΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΦΈΧ ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ Χ‘Φ΄ΧΧΦ·Χ Χ§Φ°ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ. ΧΦ·ΧΦ°ΧΧ ΧΦΌ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ¨ Χ©ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ: Χ§ΦΈΧ©ΧΦΆΧ ΧΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΦΈΧ. ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΅ΧΧΦΈΧ¨: ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ¦Φ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΧΦ° ΧΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ¨Φ΄ΧΦΌΦΈΧΧͺΦΈΧ, ΧΦΌΦΈΧ’Φ΅ΧΧ Φ·Χ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦ²ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΌΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ Φ·Χ ΧΦ΅ΧΧΦΌ.
The Gemara returns to the topic of rain. Rabbi YitzαΈ₯ak said: Even in years like the years of Elijah, when God decreed that no rain would fall, if rain falls on Shabbat eves it is nothing other than a sign of a curse, as the rain disrupts the preparations for Shabbat. This is the same as that which Rabba bar Sheila said: A rainy day is as difficult as a judgment day. Ameimar even said: Were it not for the fact that rain is needed by people, we would pray for mercy and to annul it, due to the nuisances that rain causes.
ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ΄Χ¦Φ°ΧΦΈΧ§: Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΆΧ©Χ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ©ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧͺ β Χ¦Φ°ΧΦΈΧ§ΦΈΧ ΧΦ·Χ’Φ²Χ Φ΄ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ¨Φ°ΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΦΆΧ ΧΦ΄Χ¨Φ°ΧΦ΅Χ Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΆΧ©Χ Χ¦Φ°ΧΦΈΧ§ΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°Χ€ΦΌΦ΅ΧΧ΄. ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ΄Χ¦Φ°ΧΦΈΧ§: ΧΦΌΦΈΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦ²Χ€Φ΄ΧΧΦΌΧΦΌ Χ€ΦΌΦ°Χ¨ΧΦΌΧΦΈΧ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ‘ ΧΦ΄ΧͺΦ°ΧΦΌΦΈΧ¨ΦΆΧΦΆΧͺ ΧΦΌΧΦΉ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΦΈΧͺΦ΅Χͺ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦ·Χ¨Φ°Χ¦Φ°ΧΦΈ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ’Φ΄ΧͺΦΌΧΦΉ ΧΦΌΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ¨Φ΅ΧΦ° ΧΦ΅Χͺ ΧΦΌΧΧ ΧΦ·Χ’Φ²Χ©ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΈΧΦΆΧΦΈΧ΄.
And Rabbi YitzαΈ₯ak said: Sun on Shabbat is charity for the poor, who are then able to enjoy the outdoors without suffering from cold. As it is stated: βBut for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness shall arise with healing in its wingsβ (Malachi 3:20). And Rabbi YitzαΈ₯ak further said: The day of the rains is great, as even a peruta in oneβs pocket is blessed on it, as it is stated: βTo give the rain of your land in its due time, and to bless all the work of your handβ (Deuteronomy 28:12).
ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ΄Χ¦Φ°ΧΦΈΧ§: ΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°Χ¦ΧΦΌΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ¨ ΧΦ·Χ‘ΦΌΦΈΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΈΧ’Φ·ΧΦ΄Χ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΦ°Χ¦Φ·Χ ΧΧ³ ΧΦ΄ΧͺΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈ ΧΦΆΧͺ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ²Χ‘ΦΈΧΦΆΧΧΦΈΧ΄. ΧͺΦΌΦΈΧ ΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ΅Χ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧ’Φ΅ΧΧ: ΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°Χ¦ΧΦΌΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ¨ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦΈΧ’Φ·ΧΦ΄Χ Χ©ΧΧΦΉΧΦΆΧΦΆΧͺ ΧΦΌΧΦΉ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΦ°Χ¦Φ·Χ ΧΧ³ ΧΦ΄ΧͺΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈ ΧΦΆΧͺ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ²Χ‘ΦΈΧΦΆΧΧΦΈΧ΄.
And apropos blessings, Rabbi YitzαΈ₯ak said: A blessing is found only in an object that is hidden [samui] from the eye, not in an item visible to all, as public miracles are exceedingly rare. As it is stated: βThe Lord will command His blessing upon you in your barns [baβasamekha]β (Deuteronomy 28:8). Rabbi YitzαΈ₯akβs exposition is based on the linguistic similarity between samui and asamekha. Likewise, the school of Rabbi Yishmael taught: A blessing is found only in an object that is not exposed to the eye, as it is stated: βThe Lord will command His blessing upon you in your barns.β
ΧͺΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ Φ·Χ: ΧΦ·Χ ΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°Χ ΦΈΧ‘ ΧΦΈΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΆΧͺ ΧΦΌΧΧ¨Φ°Χ ΧΦΉ, ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄Χ Χ¨ΦΈΧ¦ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΦ°Χ€ΦΈΧ ΦΆΧΧΦΈ ΧΧ³ ΧΦ±ΧΦΉΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦΌ Χ©ΧΦΆΧͺΦΌΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ·Χ ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ·Χ’Φ²Χ©ΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΈΧΦ΅Χ ΧΦΌΧ΄. ΧΦ΄ΧͺΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΈΧΧΦΉΧ, ΧΧΦΉΧΦ΅Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΦΌΦΈΧ¨ΧΦΌΧΦ° ΧΦ·Χ©ΦΌΧΧΦΉΧΦ΅ΧΦ· ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¨Φ΄Χ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΆΧΧ΄. ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ ΧΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦ·Χ¨ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦ° ΧΦΌΦ΅ΧΧ¨Φ·ΧΦ° β ΧΦ²Χ¨Φ΅Χ ΧΧΦΉ ΧͺΦΌΦ°Χ€Φ΄ΧΦΌΦ·Χͺ Χ©ΧΦΈΧΦ°Χ, ΧΦ°Χ€Φ΄Χ Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°Χ¨ΦΈΧΦΈΧ ΧΦ°Χ¦ΧΦΌΧΦΈΧ ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ¨ ΧΦ·Χ©ΦΌΧΦΈΧ§ΧΦΌΧ, ΧΦ°ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ¨ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧΧΦΌΧ, ΧΦ°ΧΦΉΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ¨ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΧ, ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ¨ ΧΦ·Χ‘ΦΌΦΈΧΧΦΌΧ ΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦΈΧ’Φ·ΧΦ΄Χ.
The Sages taught: One who enters to measure produce in his granary recites: May it be Your will, Lord our God, that You send a blessing upon the work of our hands. After he has begun to measure, he recites: Blessed is He who sends a blessing upon this pile. If one first measured and afterward recited the blessing, it is a prayer in vain, as a blessing is not found either in an object that is weighed or in an object that is measured or in an object that is counted, as these would constitute open miracles. Rather, a blessing is found only in an object that is hidden from the eye.
Χ§Φ΄ΧΦΌΧΦΌΧ₯, ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΧ‘ΧΦΉΧͺ, Χ¦Φ°ΧΦΈΧ§ΦΈΧ, ΧΦ·Χ’Φ²Χ©ΧΦ΅Χ¨, Χ€ΦΌΦ·Χ¨Φ°Χ ΦΈΧ‘ Χ‘Φ΄ΧΧΦΈΧ. ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ ΦΈΧ: ΧΦΌΦΈΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΧΦΉΧ Χ§Φ΄ΧΦΌΧΦΌΧ₯ ΧΦΌΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΦΌΧΦΉΧͺ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄Χ©ΧΧΦΌΧΦΈΧ ΧΧ³ ΧΦΆΧͺ Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧͺΦ΅Χ ΧΦΌ ΧΦΌΦ·ΧΦ²Χ€Φ΄ΧΧ§Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ·Χ ΦΌΦΆΧΦΆΧΧ΄, ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧ Χ΄ΧΦ²Χ€Φ΄ΧΧ§Φ΄ΧΧΧ΄ ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΈΧΦΈΧ¨, Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΅Χ¨ΦΈΧΧΦΌ ΧΦ²Χ€Φ΄Χ§Φ΅Χ ΧΦΈΧΧ΄.
Β§ The Gemara cites five statements of Rabbi YoαΈ₯anan, in accordance with the following mnemonic: Ingathering; armies; charity; tithe; sustainer. Rabbi YoαΈ₯anan said: The day of the rains is as great as the day of the ingathering of the exiles, as it is stated: βTurn our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the dry landβ (Psalms 126:4), and βstreamsβ means nothing other than rain, as it is stated: βAnd the streams of the sea appearedβ (IIΒ Samuel 22:16).
ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ ΦΈΧ: ΧΦΌΦΈΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΧΦΉΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧΦ²Χ€Φ΄ΧΧΦΌΧΦΌ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΧ‘ΧΦΉΧͺ Χ€ΦΌΧΦΉΧ‘Φ°Χ§ΧΦΉΧͺ ΧΦΌΧΦΉ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄ΧͺΦΌΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦΆΧΧΦΈ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΅Χ Χ Φ·ΧΦ΅Χͺ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΧΦΌΧΦΆΧΧΦΈΧ΄. ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ ΦΈΧ: ΧΦ΅ΧΧ ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ°Χ©ΧΦΈΧΦ΄ΧΧ Χ ΦΆΧ’Φ±Χ¦ΦΈΧ¨Φ΄ΧΧ ΧΦΆΧΦΌΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ©ΧΦ°ΧΦ΄ΧΧ Χ€ΦΌΧΦΉΧ‘Φ°Χ§Φ΅Χ Χ¦Φ°ΧΦΈΧ§ΦΈΧ ΧΦΌΦΈΧ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ°ΧΦ΅ΧΧ Χ ΧΦΉΧͺΦ°Χ Φ΄ΧΧ, Χ©ΧΦΆΧ ΦΌΦΆΧΦ±ΧΦ·Χ¨: Χ΄Χ Φ°Χ©ΧΦ΄ΧΧΦ΄ΧΧ ΧΦ°Χ¨ΧΦΌΧΦ· ΧΦ°ΧΦΆΧ©ΧΦΆΧ ΧΦΈΧΦ΄Χ ΧΦ΄ΧΧ©Χ ΧΦ΄ΧͺΦ°ΧΦ·ΧΦΌΦ΅Χ ΧΦΌΦ°ΧΦ·ΧͺΦΌΦ·Χͺ Χ©ΧΦΈΧ§ΦΆΧ¨Χ΄.
And Rabbi YoαΈ₯anan said: The day of the rains is great, as even armies stop fighting on it due to the rain and mud. As it is stated: βWatering its ridges abundantly; settling down its furrows [gedudeha]β (Psalms 65:11). As the word gedudim can mean both furrows or armies and is spelled identically with each meaning, this alludes to the idea that during the rainy season soldiers become entrenched in place. And Rabbi YoαΈ₯anan further said: Rain is withheld only due to those who pledge charity in public but do not give it, as it is stated: βAs vapors and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of a false giftβ (Proverbs 25:14).
ΧΦ°ΧΦΈΧΦ·Χ¨ Χ¨Φ·ΧΦΌΦ΄Χ ΧΧΦΉΧΦΈΧ ΦΈΧ, ΧΦ·ΧΧ ΧΦΌΦ΄ΧΦ°ΧͺΦ΄ΧΧ:
And Rabbi YoαΈ₯anan said: What is the meaning of that which is written:
