Fear and Trembling

Rabba would always open his shiur with a joke.  After The Rabbis had a good laugh, Rabba would dive into the shiur with fear and trembling.

(Shabbat 30b)

Who is Rich?

The Rabbis taught: Who is rich?  He who is happy being rich.  These are the words of Rebbe Meir.

The mnemonic is “matkas”.  M for Rebbe Meir, T for Rebbe Tarfon, K for Rebbe Akiva, and S for Rebbe Yossi.

Rebbe Tarfon said: He who has 100 fields and 100 vineyards and 100 laborers on each one.

Rebbe Akiva said: He who has a wife with beautiful good deeds.

Rebbe Yossi said: He who has a bathroom close to his table.

(Shabbat 25b)

So How do they Learn Gemara?

Rebbe Yochanan said: If you pray for your needs in Aramaic, the Ministering Angels will ignore you, because they don't understand Aramaic.

(Shabbat 12b)

Live for the Moment

Rava saw that Rav Hamnuna was taking his time davening.

Rava scolded him.  “You lost yourself in the moment and lost sight of Eternity."

Rav Hamnuna did not respond, but in his heart he said: "There is a time for prayer and a time for Torah."

(Shabbat 10a)

No Rest for the Righteous

Rav Chiya bar Ashi said in the name of Rav: There is no rest for Torah Scholars in this world or in The World to Come, as the sons of Korach say: “They will go from strength to strength, and they will be seen by Hashem in Zion.” (Tehillim 84:8)

(Brachot 64a)

Your Sinful Ways

Bar Kappara said: There is one short verse that serves as the foundation of the entire body of the Torah.  "In all your ways shall you know Him, and He will straighten you out." (Proverbs 3:6)

Rava said: “In all your ways shall you know Him.”  Even your sinful ways.

(Brachot 63a)

A Good Hair Day

Rebbe Shimon ben Menasya quoted the verse: “God built the side.”  He explained: this teaches us that God braided Chava’s hair and brought her to Adam, just as overseas they call a coiffeur a “hair builder”.

(Brachot 61a)