Dec 6, 2009

Gelilah not for Kids

Megillah 32a



Soncino Translation:
R. Shefatiah further said in the name of R. Johanan: If ten have had a reading of the Torah, the senior among them rolls up the sefer torah. He who rolls it up receives the reward of all of them, since R. Joshua b. Levi said: If ten have had a reading of the Torah, the one who rolls it up receives the reward of all of them. The reward of all of them, think you? No; say rather, he receives a reward equal to that of all of them.

On the Seam

Megillah 32a



Soncino Translation:
R. Shefatiah said in the name of R. Johanan: When one rolls up a scroll of the Torah, he should make it close at a seam. (So that if it is accidentally pulled, it should come asunder easily without being torn.)

Korbonos

Megillah 31b



Soncino Translation:
Said Abraham before the Holy One, blessed be He: Sovereign of the Universe, perhaps God forbid, Israel will sin before Thee and Thou wilt do to them as Thou didst to the generation of the Flood and the generation of the Division? He answered, Not so. He then said before Him: Sovereign of the Universe, by what shall I know this? He said: Take me a heifer of three years old etc. He then said before Him: Sovereign of the Universe, This is very well for the time when the Temple will be standing, but in the time when there will be no Temple what will befall them? He replied to him: I have already fixed for them the order of the sacrifices. Whenever they will read the section dealing with them, I will reckon it as if they were bringing me an offering, and forgive all their inquities.

Triennial Cycle

Megillah 29b



Soncino Translation:
...Yes, for the people of Palestine, who complete the reading of the Pentateuch in three years.
(This is known as the Triennial Cycle.)

Hareini Mochel

Megillah 28a



Soncino Translation:
R. Nehunia b. ha-Kaneh was asked by his disciples: In virtue of what have you reached such a
good old age? He replied: ... ‘Nor did the curse of my fellow go up on my bed with me’. This is illustrated by Mar Zutra, who, when he climbed into his bed said, I forgive all who have vexed me.

Watch Out!

Megillah 25b



Soncino Translation:
Mishna: ... ‘WE GIVE THANKS, WE GIVE THANKS’ (In the ‘Amidah prayer.), HE IS SILENCED.
Gemara: ... because he seems to be addressing two Powers ... R. Zera said: For one to say, ‘Hear, Hear’, is like saying, ‘We give thanks, we give thanks’... Said R. Papa to him: But perhaps [the reason why he repeats] is because at first he was not thinking of what he said, and now he does think? — He replied: Is he to treat heaven like an ordinary acquaintance? If he does not think of what he is saying, I will hit him with a hammer till he does think.