Category: Seder Nezekin

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. Continuation: Definitions of “Apikorus” Rava’s Example: Household of Binyamin the Doctor Rava says an Apikorus is like those in the house of Binyamin the doctor, who dismiss the importance of the Sages’ p’sak (“They never allowed the raven or forbade the dove”). They basically claim Sages haven’t introduced anything new.…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. The Time of Mashiach’s Arrival Dialogue with a Min A heretic (Min) asks R. Avahu when Mashiach will come. R. Avahu: “He’ll come when darkness covers certain people (i.e., you Minim).” The Min: “You’re cursing me!” R. Avahu: “No, it’s based on (Isa. 60:2) – ‘Darkness covers the earth and…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. Can Israel Be Redeemed Without Teshuvah? (cont.) Context – Beraita #2 (from previous discussion) R. Eliezer holds that redemption requires Israel’s voluntary repentance (teshuvah). R. Yehoshua maintains that if Israel does not repent on their own, G-d will install a harsh ruler (like Haman) who forces them to repent. Exchange…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. Bar Nafli (Mashiach) – Rav Nachman & R. Yitzchak Identity of Bar Nafli Rav Nachman asks R. Yitzchak: “Have you heard when ‘Bar Nafli’ will come?” R. Yitzchak: “Who is Bar Nafli?” Rav Nachman clarifies: It is a name referring to Mashiach, derived from “Sukat David ha-nofelet” (Amos 9:11), meaning…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. Hash-m Disgraced Sancheriv Angels Appear as Humans The Talmud describes how Sancheriv, after his army was destroyed, was searching for a way to disguise himself. Angels, disguised as men, trick him into performing manual labor (grinding date pits) in exchange for a pair of scissors (or a razor), so he…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. One’s Mazel Can See Danger Context The Talmud references a verse from Isaiah (10:7 and 10:8, or possibly 8:7–8) describing how certain individuals or their angels – i.e., mazel – can sense a threat even if the person does not physically see it. The Gemara extracts that if someone feels…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. The Miracle Done for Chananyah, Mishael, and Azaryah (last line on previous Amud) R. Yochanan – Tzadikim Greater than Angels The Talmud references Daniel 3:25: Nebuchadnezzar sees “four men walking in the fire … and the fourth looks like a divine being.” R. Yochanan observes that the angel is mentioned…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. Reward and Punishment for Teaching Torah (line 3 from end on previous Amud) Rav Yehudah States that one who refrains from teaching a halakhah to a student robs that student of his ancestral (spiritual) inheritance: “Torah tzivah lanu Moshe morashah kehilat Yaakov” is an inheritance to all Israel. By withholding…

I. Detailed Talmudic Overview A. Responses to Minim About Resurrection (line 1) Argument with the Kaiser The Talmud presents a story: A “Kaiser” (Roman Emperor or leader) who questions the Jewish doctrine of Techiyat HaMeitim. He says if living people die, then how much more so the dead shouldn’t be revived. The Kaiser’s daughter offers…