Monday, September 24, 2012
The Others
The Rabbis taught: Who is an Am Haaretz?
If you don't say the Shema in the evening and in the morning: these are the words of Rebbe Eliezer.
Rebbe Yehosua says: If you don't wear tefillin.
Ben Azzai says: If you don't wear tzitzit.
Rebbe Natan says: If you don't have a mezuza.
Rebbe Natan bar Yosef says: If you have sons and you don't raise them to study Torah.
The Others say: You may read the Torah and you may read the Mishna, but if you don't serve Torah scholars, you're still an Am Haaretz.
Rav Huna says: The law is in accordance with The Others.
(Brachot 47b)
Chicken Soup for the Soul
Rebbe Chiya bar Abba said in the name of Rebbe Yochanan: Any meal without soup is not a meal.
(Brachot 44a)
Goblin Market
Rebbe Abahu would eat the fruits of Genosar until the flies slipped down his forehead.
Rav Ami and Rav Asi would eat the fruits of Genosar until hairs fell out of their heads.
Rebbe Shimon ben Lakish would eat the fruits of Genosar until he lost his mind. At that point, Rebbe Yochanan would send a message to the Rebbe Yehuda Nesiya, and the Rebbe Yehuda Nesiya would send a special force to return Rebbe Shimon ben Lakish to his home.
(Brachot 44a)
Stepping on the Toes of the Shechina
The Master said: Anyone who walks with an erect posture, even for four amot, steps on the toes of the Divine Presence, as Yishayahu says: "The whole world is filled with His glory." (Yishayahu 6:3)
(Brachot 43b)
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Smells Like Teen Spirit
Rav Zutra bar Tuvya said in the name of Rav: How do we know that we need to say blessings over fragrances? Because the book of Tehillim says, "Every soul will praise Hashem." (Tehillim 150:6) From what kind of thing does the soul benefit, but the body doesn't benefit? Fragrances!
Rav Zutra bar Tuvya said in the name of Rav: After the Moshiach comes, Jewish teenagers will smell like the forests of Lebanon, as Hoshea says: "His sucklings will walk, his beauty will be like the olive tree, and his fragrance like the forests of Lebanon." (Hoshea 14:7)
(Brachot 43b)
Rav Zutra bar Tuvya said in the name of Rav: After the Moshiach comes, Jewish teenagers will smell like the forests of Lebanon, as Hoshea says: "His sucklings will walk, his beauty will be like the olive tree, and his fragrance like the forests of Lebanon." (Hoshea 14:7)
(Brachot 43b)
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
The Great Experiment
The Rabbis taught: Why does the Torah need to tell us, "You will gather in your grain"? (Devarim 11:14) Because the book of Yehoshua says: "The Torah shall not cease from your mouth." (Yehoshua 1:8) You might think, based on the quote from Yehoshua, that we are obligated to learn Torah 24/7. To dispell this notion, the Torah says, "You shall gather in your grain", to say that you should learn Torah and have a parnassa too.
These are the words of Rebbe Yishmael. But Rebbe Shimon bar Yochai said: Could it be that we are supposed to plow in the plowing season, sow in the sowing season, harvest in the harvesting season, thresh in the threshing season, and winnow in the windy season? And then what do you think would become of the Torah?
See, when the Jews do the will of Hashem, our work is done by others, as Yishayahu says: "Strangers will stand and shepherd your flocks." (Yishayahu 61:5) Only when the Jews do not do the will of Hashem, that's when all this "You shall gather your grain" business applies. And not only that, but when the Jews do not do the will of Hashem, we are also forced to do the work of others, as the Torah says: "You will serve your enemies." (Devarim 28:48)
Abbaye said: Many scholars followed the advice of Rebbe Yishmael, and they were successful. Others followed the advice of Rebbe Shimon bar Yochai, and they were not successful.
Rava would say to The Rabbis: "I don't want to even see you around the Bet Midrash in Nissan and Tishrei. If you spend too much time learning Torah during Nissan and Tishrei, you're going to have a parnassa headache for the rest of the year."
Rabba bar bar Chana said in the name of Rebbe Yochanan, who said in the name of Rebbe Yehuda the son of Rebbe Eli: They just don't make them like they used to. The earlier generations made Torah the first priority, and parnassa a second priority, and they retained both. But our generation makes parnassa the first priority and Torah a second priority, and we retain neither.
(Brachot 35b)
Monday, September 10, 2012
You ain't Seen Nuthin Yet
Rebbe Chiya bar Abba said in the name of Rebbe Yochanan: The prophets prophesied only about the reward for fathers-in-law of Torah scholars, and other people who support Torah scholars financially. But regarding the reward for the Torah scholars themselves, Yishayahu says: "No eye has seen what Hashem will do for those who await Him." (Yishayahu 64:3)
Rebbe Chiya bar Abba said in the name of Rebbe Yochanan: The prophets prophesied only about the days of the Moshiach, but regarding the World to Come, Yishayahu says: "No eye has seen what Hashem will do for those who await Him." (Yishayahu 64:3)
Shmuel, earlier, said otherwise: There is no difference between this world and the days of the Moshiach except for political independence.
Rebbe Chiya bar Abba said in the name of Rebbe Yochanan: The prophets only prophesied about the reward of ba'alei teshuva, but regarding the reward of the perfect tzaddik, Yishayahu said: "No eye has seen what Hashem will do for those who await Him." (Yishayahu 64:3)
Rebbe Abahu, earlier, said otherwise: In the place where ba'alei teshuva stand, even the completely righteous do not stand, as Yishayahu said: "Peace, peace, to the far and to the near." (Yishayahu 57:19) First to the far, and then to the near.
But Rebbe Yochanan would surely respond: "far" means a tzadik who was far from sin, continuously; "near" means a ba'al teshuva, who was near to sin, and then distanced himself.
(Brachot 34b)
Rebbe Chiya bar Abba said in the name of Rebbe Yochanan: The prophets prophesied only about the days of the Moshiach, but regarding the World to Come, Yishayahu says: "No eye has seen what Hashem will do for those who await Him." (Yishayahu 64:3)
Shmuel, earlier, said otherwise: There is no difference between this world and the days of the Moshiach except for political independence.
Rebbe Chiya bar Abba said in the name of Rebbe Yochanan: The prophets only prophesied about the reward of ba'alei teshuva, but regarding the reward of the perfect tzaddik, Yishayahu said: "No eye has seen what Hashem will do for those who await Him." (Yishayahu 64:3)
Rebbe Abahu, earlier, said otherwise: In the place where ba'alei teshuva stand, even the completely righteous do not stand, as Yishayahu said: "Peace, peace, to the far and to the near." (Yishayahu 57:19) First to the far, and then to the near.
But Rebbe Yochanan would surely respond: "far" means a tzadik who was far from sin, continuously; "near" means a ba'al teshuva, who was near to sin, and then distanced himself.
(Brachot 34b)
And Now, Israel...
Rebbe Chanina said: Everything is in the hands of Heaven except the fear of Heaven, as the Torah says: "And now, Israel, what does Hashem ask of you? Only to fear Hashem."
(Brachot 33b)
(Brachot 33b)
Friday, September 7, 2012
Snakes don't Kill People, Sins Kill People
The Rabbis told the following story:
Once there was a snake that was causing trouble. The people ran to Rebbe Chanina ben Dosa for help.
He said to them: "Show me its hole."
They led him to the hole, and he covered it with his heel. The snake came out and bit him. then, the snake dropped dead.
He threw the dead snake over his shoulder and carried it to the Bet Midrash. He said to The Rabbis: "See this, kids? It's not the snake that kills, but the sin that kills."
They replied: "Watch out for snakes, unless you're Rebbe Chanina ben Dosa, in which case, the snakes better watch out for you."
(Brachot 33a)
Once there was a snake that was causing trouble. The people ran to Rebbe Chanina ben Dosa for help.
He said to them: "Show me its hole."
They led him to the hole, and he covered it with his heel. The snake came out and bit him. then, the snake dropped dead.
He threw the dead snake over his shoulder and carried it to the Bet Midrash. He said to The Rabbis: "See this, kids? It's not the snake that kills, but the sin that kills."
They replied: "Watch out for snakes, unless you're Rebbe Chanina ben Dosa, in which case, the snakes better watch out for you."
(Brachot 33a)
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Not Eating It
Rebbe Elazar said: Prayer is greater than good deeds! Surely no one has more good deeds to his name than Moshe Rabbenu, but he was answered only because of his prayers, as the Torah says: "Do not speak to me anymore...ascend to the top of the cliff." (Devarim 3:26-27)
Rebbe Elazar also said: Fasting is greater than tzedaka. Why? Because one who gives tzedaka gives of his possessions, but one who fasts gives of his body.
(Brachot 32b)
Rebbe Elazar also said: Fasting is greater than tzedaka. Why? Because one who gives tzedaka gives of his possessions, but one who fasts gives of his body.
(Brachot 32b)
I'd Rather Cry with the Saints
What does Tehillim mean when it says, "Rejoice with trepidation"? (Tehillim 2:11)
Rav Ada bar Matna said in the name of Rabba: When there is rejoicing, there should also be trepidation.
Abbaye was hanging out with Rabba. Abbaye was clowning around.
Rabba said: "Don't you think you think you should be rejoicing with a little bit more trepidation?"
Abbaye said: "I am wearing tefillin."
Rebbe Yirmiya was hanging out with Rebbe Zera. Rebbe Yirmyia was clowning around.
Rebbe Zera said: "Sadness is very profitable (Proverbs 14:23), you know."
Rebbe Yirmiya said: "I am wearing tefillin."
Mar the son of Ravina made a wedding feast for his son. He saw that The Rabbis were clowning around, so he brought before them a precious glass cup worth 400 zuz and smashed it. That way, he made sure The Rabbis would be sad.
Rav Ashi made a wedding feast for his son. He saw that The Rabbis were clowning around, so he brought before them a white glass cup and smashed it. That way, he made sure The Rabbis would be sad.
At the wedding feast of Mar the son of Ravina, The Rabbis said to Rav Hamnuna Zuti: Master, please sing us a song! So he sang:
Oy vey, we are going to die!
Oy vey, we are going to die!
They asked him: "What is the chorus?" And he sang:
Where is the Torah we learn?
Where are the mitzvot we do?
Why won't they protect us?
Rebbe Yochanan said in the name of Rebbe Shimon bar Yochai: It is forbidden to fill your mouth with laughter in this world, as it says in Tehillim: "Then our mouths will be filled with laughter and our tongues with joy." (Tehillim 126:2) When will our mouths be filled with laughter? When they declare among the nations, "Hashem has performed great wonders for the Chosen People."
They said of Resh Lakish that he never again filled his mouth with laughter from the day that he heard this teaching from the mouth of his Rebbe, Rebbe Yochanan.
(Brachot 30b - 31a)
Rav Ada bar Matna said in the name of Rabba: When there is rejoicing, there should also be trepidation.
Abbaye was hanging out with Rabba. Abbaye was clowning around.
Rabba said: "Don't you think you think you should be rejoicing with a little bit more trepidation?"
Abbaye said: "I am wearing tefillin."
Rebbe Yirmiya was hanging out with Rebbe Zera. Rebbe Yirmyia was clowning around.
Rebbe Zera said: "Sadness is very profitable (Proverbs 14:23), you know."
Rebbe Yirmiya said: "I am wearing tefillin."
Mar the son of Ravina made a wedding feast for his son. He saw that The Rabbis were clowning around, so he brought before them a precious glass cup worth 400 zuz and smashed it. That way, he made sure The Rabbis would be sad.
Rav Ashi made a wedding feast for his son. He saw that The Rabbis were clowning around, so he brought before them a white glass cup and smashed it. That way, he made sure The Rabbis would be sad.
At the wedding feast of Mar the son of Ravina, The Rabbis said to Rav Hamnuna Zuti: Master, please sing us a song! So he sang:
Oy vey, we are going to die!
Oy vey, we are going to die!
They asked him: "What is the chorus?" And he sang:
Where is the Torah we learn?
Where are the mitzvot we do?
Why won't they protect us?
Rebbe Yochanan said in the name of Rebbe Shimon bar Yochai: It is forbidden to fill your mouth with laughter in this world, as it says in Tehillim: "Then our mouths will be filled with laughter and our tongues with joy." (Tehillim 126:2) When will our mouths be filled with laughter? When they declare among the nations, "Hashem has performed great wonders for the Chosen People."
They said of Resh Lakish that he never again filled his mouth with laughter from the day that he heard this teaching from the mouth of his Rebbe, Rebbe Yochanan.
(Brachot 30b - 31a)
Judgment Day
When Rebbe Yochanan ben Zakkai got sick, his students visited them. As soon as he saw them, he began to cry.
His students said to him: "Light of Israel, Rightmost Pillar, Mighty Hammer! Why are you crying?"
He said to them: "If they were leading me before a King of flesh and blood, who is here today and in the grave tomorrow, whose anger is temporary, whose prison sentence is temporary, whose death sentence is temporary, who can be flattered and bribed, I would certainly cry."
But now they are leading me before the King of Kings, the Holy One blessed be He, whose existence is eternal, whose anger is eternal, whose prison sentence is eternal, whose death sentence is eternal, and who can't be flattered or bribed.
I see two paths, one to Eden and one to Gehinnom, and I don't know on which they will lead me.
So like of course I'm crying.
They said to him: "Rebbe, give us a blessing!"
He replied: "May the fear of God be upon you as great as the fear of your fellow men."
They replied: "Really? Like the fear of fellow men? Shouldn't the fear of God be a little bit greater?"
He replied: "Don't get your hopes up. When a person sins, he thinks to himself: I hope no one saw me just do that!"
Rebbe Yochanan ben Zakkai's last words were: "Remove all the utensils so that they don't become ritually impure. Oh, and would you please pull up a chair for Chizkiyahu, King of Yehuda, who has come to escort me?"
(Brachot 28b)
His students said to him: "Light of Israel, Rightmost Pillar, Mighty Hammer! Why are you crying?"
He said to them: "If they were leading me before a King of flesh and blood, who is here today and in the grave tomorrow, whose anger is temporary, whose prison sentence is temporary, whose death sentence is temporary, who can be flattered and bribed, I would certainly cry."
But now they are leading me before the King of Kings, the Holy One blessed be He, whose existence is eternal, whose anger is eternal, whose prison sentence is eternal, whose death sentence is eternal, and who can't be flattered or bribed.
I see two paths, one to Eden and one to Gehinnom, and I don't know on which they will lead me.
So like of course I'm crying.
They said to him: "Rebbe, give us a blessing!"
He replied: "May the fear of God be upon you as great as the fear of your fellow men."
They replied: "Really? Like the fear of fellow men? Shouldn't the fear of God be a little bit greater?"
He replied: "Don't get your hopes up. When a person sins, he thinks to himself: I hope no one saw me just do that!"
Rebbe Yochanan ben Zakkai's last words were: "Remove all the utensils so that they don't become ritually impure. Oh, and would you please pull up a chair for Chizkiyahu, King of Yehuda, who has come to escort me?"
(Brachot 28b)
Monday, September 3, 2012
The Rabbinic Spring
The Rabbis taught:
A student asked Rebbe Yehoshua: "Is the evening prayer optional or mandatory?"
He replied: "Optional."
The student then asked Rabban Gamliel: "Is the evening prayer optional or mandatory?"
Rabban Gamliel replied: "Mandatory."
The student said: "But Rebbe Yehoshua told me that it's optional."
Rabban Gamliel replied: "Just wait till the shield masters get here."
When the shield masters arrived, the student stood and asked: "Is the evening prayer optional or mandatory?"
Rabban Gamliel replied: "Mandatory." He then turned to The Sages and asked: "Does anybody here have a problem with that?"
Rebbe Yehoshua said: "No."
Rabban Gamliel said: "Is that so? And what would you say if I told you that I heard in your name that the evening prayer is optional? Yehoshua, stand up and let them testify against you!"
Rebbe Yehoshua said: "If the troublemaker were to drop dead, I could deny everything, because a living man can contradict a dead man. But he is alive and I am alive, and a living man cannot contradict another living man."
Rabban Gamliel continued sitting and lecturing. He did not give Rebbe Yehoshua permission to sit back down. The people began to murmur in indignation. They called out to Chutzpit the Announcer, and said: "Stop!" And Chutzpit the Announcer stopped announcing.
They said: "How long will Rabban Gamliel go on humiliating Rebbe Yehoshua? He humiliated Rebbe Yehoshua last year on Rosh Hashana, he humiliated him in the incident of Rebbe Tzadok and the firstborn, and now he is humiliating him again. Rabban Gamliel must go!"
Who will we appoint as the new Rosh Yeshiva? We can't appoint Rebbe Yehoshua, because he was personally involved in the incident. We can't appoint Rebbe Akiva, since he doesn't have meritorious forefathers, and he may be susceptible to punishment. So let's appoint Rebbe Elazar ben Azarya. He's intelligent, he's rich, and he's the tenth generation from Ezra.
He is intelligent: when someone asks him a question, he will be able to answer.
He is rich: he will be able serve Caesar if necessary.
He is the tenth generation from Ezra: he has the merit of righteous forefathers, so he is not susceptible to punishment.
So they came to Rebbe Elazar ben Azarya and said: "Want to be the new Rosh Yeshiva?"
He said to them: "Let me get back to you on that." He went home and asked his wife what she thought about the whole situation.
His wife said: "Easy come, easy go. What makes you think they won't depose you like they just deposed Rabban Gamliel?"
He replied: "And what if they do? Drink from the precious glass cup when you can, and let it break tomorrow."
His wife said: "But you have no gray hair."
That day, Rebbe Elazar ben Azarya was 18 years old. A miracle occurred for him and 18 rows of hair in his beard turned gray.
That is why, in the Haggada, Rebbe Elazar ben Azarya is quoted as saying "I am like 70 years old," and not saying, "I am 70 years old."
It was taught in a Braita: that day they removed the guard, and all students were permitted to enter. When Rabban Gamliel had been the Rosh Yeshiva, anyone whose inner self did not match his public demeanor was not allowed to enter the Bet Midrash.
That day many benches were added to the Bet Midrash. Rebbe Yochanan said: Abba Yosef ben Dostai and The Rabbis disagree about how many. One says 400 benches were added, and one says 700 benches were added.
When Rabban Gamliel saw this, he began to doubt himself, saying: "Maybe, God forbid, I have withheld the Torah from Israel..." So they showed him a dream white pitchers filled with ash. (Not because he was right, though. It was just to make him feel better.)
The Braita says: The tractate of Eduyot (testimonies) was taught on that day. And anywhere the Mishna says "on that day", it is referring to that day. On that day, all the open halachic questions were resolved.
Rabban Gamliel couldn't stay away from the Bet Midrash for even a single hour, as it says in a Mishna: On that day, Yehuda the Ammonite convert came to the Bet Midrash and said: "May I marry a Jewish woman?"
Rabban Gamliel said no. Rebbe Yehoshua said yes.
Rabban Gamliel said: "Neither an Ammonite nor a Moabite may enter the congregation of Hashem." (Dvarim 23:4)
Rebbe Yehoshua asked: "Do the real Ammonites and Moabites still reside in their lands? But Sancheriv, King of Assyria, confused all the nations, as Sancheriv himself declares in the book of Yishayahu: I have erased the borders of the nations, and plundered their treasures. (Yishayahu 10:13) Since the majority of modern-day residents of the land of Ammon are not true Ammonites, we do not need to apply the prohibition to Yehuda."
Rabban Gamliel replied: "Well, according to Yirmiyahu, Hashem will return the captives of Ammon. (Yirmiyahu 49:6) By this time they're probably all back, don't you think?"
Rebbe Yehoshua replied: "Is that so? Don't forget the prophecy of Amos, where Hashem says: I will return the captives of My people Israel. (Amos 9:14) When the captives of Israel return, you can start telling me about the captives of Ammon."
Immediately, they permitted Yehuda to marry a Jewish woman.
Rabban Gamliel said to himself: "It's really been one of those days. I'd better go and apologize to Rebbe Yehoshua."
He went to Rebbe Yehoshua's house and saw that his walls were black.
Rabban Gamliel said to Rebbe Yehoshua: "From the walls of this house, I'd guess that you're probably a blacksmith."
Rebbe Yehoshua replied: "How can you be the Gadol Hador if you don't know about the suffering of Torah Scholars? You have no idea what we go through to make ends meet and put food on the table."
Rabban Gamliel said: "Look, I realize now that I kind of overdid it with the whole mandatory prayer thing. Please, forgive me."
Rebbe Yehoshua refused.
Rabban Gamliel said: "Forgive me! In the name of my father!"
Rebbe Yehoshua said: "OK fine."
They decided to see if they could convince The Rabbis to reinstate Rabban Gamliel as the Rosh Yeshiva.
The laundryman said: "I'll talk to them. What do you want me to say?"
Rebbe Yehoshua said: "Tell them that he who wears the uniform should wear the uniform. And he who doesn't wear the uniform, well, let's just say that he shouldn't take the uniform from the other guy."
When Rebbe Akiva heard this, he said: "Lock the doors, so Rabban Gamliel doesn't send any more of his servants to drey our kop."
Rebbe Yehoshua saw that he would have to talk to The Rabbis in person. He went to the Bet Midrash and knocked on the door. "The sprinkler son of a sprinkler should sprinkle. And don't start telling the sprinkler son of a sprinkler that his water is cave water and his ashes are cinders."
Rebbe Akiva said: "So, Rebbe Yehoshua, you have forgiven Rabban Gamliel? The only reason we removed Rabban Gamliel was the affront to your honor. Tomorrow, I will go with you to his door."
They said: "Now what?"
Can we depose Rebbe Elazar ben Azarya?
No, because we learned that it's improper to demote people in matters of holiness.
Can we set up a rotating Rosh Yeshivaship, where each Rosh Yeshiva presides every other week?
No, that would create jealousy.
Rather, we will set up a rotating Rosh Yeshivaship, where Rabban Gamliel presides for three weeks, and Rebbe Elazar presides for one week.
A student asked Rebbe Yehoshua: "Is the evening prayer optional or mandatory?"
He replied: "Optional."
The student then asked Rabban Gamliel: "Is the evening prayer optional or mandatory?"
Rabban Gamliel replied: "Mandatory."
The student said: "But Rebbe Yehoshua told me that it's optional."
Rabban Gamliel replied: "Just wait till the shield masters get here."
When the shield masters arrived, the student stood and asked: "Is the evening prayer optional or mandatory?"
Rabban Gamliel replied: "Mandatory." He then turned to The Sages and asked: "Does anybody here have a problem with that?"
Rebbe Yehoshua said: "No."
Rabban Gamliel said: "Is that so? And what would you say if I told you that I heard in your name that the evening prayer is optional? Yehoshua, stand up and let them testify against you!"
Rebbe Yehoshua said: "If the troublemaker were to drop dead, I could deny everything, because a living man can contradict a dead man. But he is alive and I am alive, and a living man cannot contradict another living man."
Rabban Gamliel continued sitting and lecturing. He did not give Rebbe Yehoshua permission to sit back down. The people began to murmur in indignation. They called out to Chutzpit the Announcer, and said: "Stop!" And Chutzpit the Announcer stopped announcing.
They said: "How long will Rabban Gamliel go on humiliating Rebbe Yehoshua? He humiliated Rebbe Yehoshua last year on Rosh Hashana, he humiliated him in the incident of Rebbe Tzadok and the firstborn, and now he is humiliating him again. Rabban Gamliel must go!"
Who will we appoint as the new Rosh Yeshiva? We can't appoint Rebbe Yehoshua, because he was personally involved in the incident. We can't appoint Rebbe Akiva, since he doesn't have meritorious forefathers, and he may be susceptible to punishment. So let's appoint Rebbe Elazar ben Azarya. He's intelligent, he's rich, and he's the tenth generation from Ezra.
He is intelligent: when someone asks him a question, he will be able to answer.
He is rich: he will be able serve Caesar if necessary.
He is the tenth generation from Ezra: he has the merit of righteous forefathers, so he is not susceptible to punishment.
So they came to Rebbe Elazar ben Azarya and said: "Want to be the new Rosh Yeshiva?"
He said to them: "Let me get back to you on that." He went home and asked his wife what she thought about the whole situation.
His wife said: "Easy come, easy go. What makes you think they won't depose you like they just deposed Rabban Gamliel?"
He replied: "And what if they do? Drink from the precious glass cup when you can, and let it break tomorrow."
His wife said: "But you have no gray hair."
That day, Rebbe Elazar ben Azarya was 18 years old. A miracle occurred for him and 18 rows of hair in his beard turned gray.
That is why, in the Haggada, Rebbe Elazar ben Azarya is quoted as saying "I am like 70 years old," and not saying, "I am 70 years old."
It was taught in a Braita: that day they removed the guard, and all students were permitted to enter. When Rabban Gamliel had been the Rosh Yeshiva, anyone whose inner self did not match his public demeanor was not allowed to enter the Bet Midrash.
That day many benches were added to the Bet Midrash. Rebbe Yochanan said: Abba Yosef ben Dostai and The Rabbis disagree about how many. One says 400 benches were added, and one says 700 benches were added.
When Rabban Gamliel saw this, he began to doubt himself, saying: "Maybe, God forbid, I have withheld the Torah from Israel..." So they showed him a dream white pitchers filled with ash. (Not because he was right, though. It was just to make him feel better.)
The Braita says: The tractate of Eduyot (testimonies) was taught on that day. And anywhere the Mishna says "on that day", it is referring to that day. On that day, all the open halachic questions were resolved.
Rabban Gamliel couldn't stay away from the Bet Midrash for even a single hour, as it says in a Mishna: On that day, Yehuda the Ammonite convert came to the Bet Midrash and said: "May I marry a Jewish woman?"
Rabban Gamliel said no. Rebbe Yehoshua said yes.
Rabban Gamliel said: "Neither an Ammonite nor a Moabite may enter the congregation of Hashem." (Dvarim 23:4)
Rebbe Yehoshua asked: "Do the real Ammonites and Moabites still reside in their lands? But Sancheriv, King of Assyria, confused all the nations, as Sancheriv himself declares in the book of Yishayahu: I have erased the borders of the nations, and plundered their treasures. (Yishayahu 10:13) Since the majority of modern-day residents of the land of Ammon are not true Ammonites, we do not need to apply the prohibition to Yehuda."
Rabban Gamliel replied: "Well, according to Yirmiyahu, Hashem will return the captives of Ammon. (Yirmiyahu 49:6) By this time they're probably all back, don't you think?"
Rebbe Yehoshua replied: "Is that so? Don't forget the prophecy of Amos, where Hashem says: I will return the captives of My people Israel. (Amos 9:14) When the captives of Israel return, you can start telling me about the captives of Ammon."
Immediately, they permitted Yehuda to marry a Jewish woman.
Rabban Gamliel said to himself: "It's really been one of those days. I'd better go and apologize to Rebbe Yehoshua."
He went to Rebbe Yehoshua's house and saw that his walls were black.
Rabban Gamliel said to Rebbe Yehoshua: "From the walls of this house, I'd guess that you're probably a blacksmith."
Rebbe Yehoshua replied: "How can you be the Gadol Hador if you don't know about the suffering of Torah Scholars? You have no idea what we go through to make ends meet and put food on the table."
Rabban Gamliel said: "Look, I realize now that I kind of overdid it with the whole mandatory prayer thing. Please, forgive me."
Rebbe Yehoshua refused.
Rabban Gamliel said: "Forgive me! In the name of my father!"
Rebbe Yehoshua said: "OK fine."
They decided to see if they could convince The Rabbis to reinstate Rabban Gamliel as the Rosh Yeshiva.
The laundryman said: "I'll talk to them. What do you want me to say?"
Rebbe Yehoshua said: "Tell them that he who wears the uniform should wear the uniform. And he who doesn't wear the uniform, well, let's just say that he shouldn't take the uniform from the other guy."
When Rebbe Akiva heard this, he said: "Lock the doors, so Rabban Gamliel doesn't send any more of his servants to drey our kop."
Rebbe Yehoshua saw that he would have to talk to The Rabbis in person. He went to the Bet Midrash and knocked on the door. "The sprinkler son of a sprinkler should sprinkle. And don't start telling the sprinkler son of a sprinkler that his water is cave water and his ashes are cinders."
Rebbe Akiva said: "So, Rebbe Yehoshua, you have forgiven Rabban Gamliel? The only reason we removed Rabban Gamliel was the affront to your honor. Tomorrow, I will go with you to his door."
They said: "Now what?"
Can we depose Rebbe Elazar ben Azarya?
No, because we learned that it's improper to demote people in matters of holiness.
Can we set up a rotating Rosh Yeshivaship, where each Rosh Yeshiva presides every other week?
No, that would create jealousy.
Rather, we will set up a rotating Rosh Yeshivaship, where Rabban Gamliel presides for three weeks, and Rebbe Elazar presides for one week.
As The Master said: Whose week was it? The week of Rebbe Elazar ben Azarya.
By the way, the student who originally asked the question about the evening prayer was Rebbe Shimon bar Yochai.
(Brachot 27b - 28a)
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