Sanhedrin 109 - Shabbat April 5, 7 Nisan

Today's daf is sponsored by Rikki and Alan Zibitt in loving memory of their mothers, Helen Zibitt, Hena bat Yaacov v' Rachel Leah, whose 20th yahrzeit was 28 Adar and Friedl bat Meir v' Rivkah, whose 10th yahrzeit is 9 Nisan. "They were true Women of Valor, who lived lives of hesed, loshon tov and ahavat Yisrael. We miss them every day! May their neshamot have the highest aliyah." Rabbi Yochanan and Reish Lakish disagree about how to understand three different verses relating to Gehenom and the final redemption - Reish Lakish interprets them all harshly and rabbi Yochanan more leniently. The language of redemption used in the Torah describes both getting out of Egypt and coming into the land of Israel. Rabbi Simai makes a heikesh - just like the Jews entered the land with only two out of the 600,000 that came out of Egypt, they also came out of Egypt with the same percentage of people that were there. If 600,000 came out, it must be that there were 180 billion people there, and they died before the Exodus. The same will hold e for the days of the Messiah, as is derived from Hosea 2:17. Two situations are described in which Moshe is critical of God. The people of a wayward city, that were convinced by members of their city to worship idols, do not have a share in the World-to-Come. The halakhic details of this city are discussed.

Today's daf is sponsored by Abby Sosland in loving memory of Rabbi Henry Sosland. "He taught us that daily learning could be the ultimate source of comfort and sipuk nefesh." Today’s daf is sponsored by the Hadran Women of Long Island in honor of our friend and co-learner, Bracha Rutner, whose completion of Masechet Sanhedrin marks her siyum on all of Shas. "You dedicated the last seven and one-half years to this monumental achievement, and we are so proud that you are one of our group, and that we are able to share in your simcha! לכי מחיל אל חיל." Korach's wife convinced him to rebel against Moshe, despite Korach initially arguing against her persuasion. What were her specific complaints against Moshe and Aharon? Based on inferences from Bamidbar 16:14 and Tehillim 106:16, Rabbi Yochanan explains that they accused Moshe of engaging in relations with their wives. Moshe approached Datan and Aviram, seeking reconciliation. From this action, Reish Lakish teaches that one should actively work to resolve disputes. Different verses are brought to prove that anyone who challenges their teacher is considered as challenging God directly. There is a debate regarding Korach's fate: Was he swallowed by the earth or burned with the others who offered incense? This remains unresolved due to different interpretations of the verses. However, the Torah clearly states that Korach's sons survived. Regarding the generation that wandered in the desert, sages debate whether they will have a share in the World-to-Come. Various verses are cited to support both positions. Similarly, the fate of the ten tribes is disputed. Will they eventually return to the land or were they permanently exiled? This discussion centers on different interpretations of Devarim 29:27. Scholars also debate whether these tribes will receive a portion in the World-to-Come, with various verses brought as evidence. In both these controversies, Rabbi Akiva takes the stricter position that they will neither return nor have a share in the World-to-Come. Rabba bar bar Hanna quotes Rabbi Yochanan questioning Rabbi Akiva's stance, noting that Rabbi Akiva typically adopts more lenient positions. What is the source for Rabbi Akiva's general tendency toward leniency? From what point in development can one merit entry to the World-to-Come: from conception, birth, the ability to speak, or the ability to say "amen"?

A story is brought of Nahum ish Gamzu and how he is saved from death by the Romans on account of magical dirt that came from the dirt that Avraham used against the four kings, which magically turned into swords. What was the generation of those who built the Tower of Bavel try to accomplish? What were the acts of Sodom? God gave them everything they could want, which made them self-sufficient, leading to arrogance, which led to their isolationist policy.    They mainly engaged in two categories of trangressions - not treating guests properly and perverting justice.  There is a debate about Korach and his followers - whether they are deserving of the World-to-Come. The Gemara extrapolates the names of the people in Korach's group and explains how On ben Pelet didn't rejoin Korach's group on account of his wife's actions.

 Today's daf is sponsored by Mitzi and David Geffen in loving memory of Mitzi's mother, Ruth Toll Lock, Rut bat Miriam and Avraham z"l on her 39th yahrzeit. "She was a loving wife, mother, and mother-in-law; a devoted Zionist and wonderful educator in Harrisburg, PA. All 4 of her children made Aliyah and her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as her great-grandchild, all live in Israel." The Mishna lists groups of people throught our early history that do not have a share in the World-to-Come and deliberates about whether they will be ressurected.  Arrogance caused the sin of the generation of the flood, as they had everything and therefore thought that they didn't need God. Was Noah a real righteous peerson or just in relation to his generation? How did Noah try before the flood to get the poeple to repent and what was their reposnse? What was the purpose of the seven days before the flood? How did they deal with animals while they were in the ark? These and other issues related to the flood are discussed. 

Today's daf is sponsored by Becki Goldstein for a refuah sheleima for her grandson Eitan Ephraim ben Ayelet and her husband David Mordecai ben Reizal for a successful operation. "Refuat hanefesh v'haguf." In connection with Achitofel, the Gemara diverts to the story of David and Batsheva. Why was David tested in this way and why did he fail the test?  What was the reaction of those around him? How did he get forgiveness from God? How in the end was it made obvious to others that he received forgiveness? For what reason did Geichazi not get a portion in the World to Come? Elisha is also criticized for how he dealt with Geichazi, just as Yehoshua ben Perachia is criticized for not encouraging Yeshu (Jesus) to repent.  

"Better are the wounds from a friend than the kisses of an enemy" (Proverbs 27:6). An example of this is Achiya the Shiloni and Balaam's prophecies. The Gemara continues to analyze Balaam's words about the Jewish people and other nations. When Balaam was unsuccessful in cursing the Jews. he devised a plan, and advised Balak how to entice the Jews to sin in order to get God to punish them. The next character mentioned in the Mishna is Doeg HaEdomi. Why did he lose his share in the World-to-Come? Being that he was a great Torah scholar, the sages explain what was wrong about the Torah he learned that enabled him to speak lashon hara about David, which ultimately caused the death of the inhabitants of Nov.

Today's daf is sponsored by Pnina Lipskier in memory of Yoav Har Shoshanim. A verse is brought that is explained in a way that the Jews in the time leading up to the destruction thought that they had a winning answer to counter God and his prophets when they told the people to repent. There are three possible explanations of what was this "winning answer." Balaam in on the list of those who have no portion in the World-to-Come. What did he do wrong? How did he succeed in convincing God to let him go? What was the nature of the conversation he had with his donkey? Why did he get his own donkey ready instead of letting his servants do it? How did he think he would succeed in cursing the Jewish people?  And finally, did he really not succeed in cursing them?

Today's daf is sponsored by the Hadran Zoom Family in loving memory of our fellow Daf learner Carol Robinson, z"l. "In all the spaces she touched she was an אישה כגפן פוריה, fruitful in all her endeavors." Micah was saved from losing his share in the World-to-Come because he gave food to travelers. Rabbi Yochanan, partially based on a statement of Rabbi Yosi bar Kisma explained that hospitality is so important that one can see its effect in several ways throughout Tanach history. Why were Achaz, Amon and Yehoyakim not included in the list of those not receiving a share in the World-to-Come? Even though hospitality is an important value, sometimes it is not. This is highlighted by Chizkiyahu who invited Babylonian messengers and fed them a lot of food, treating them with a lot of respect, which partially caused the destruction of the Temple. Several verses from Eicha are expounded to explain many different issues relating to the destruction. Rav Ashi explained that anshei kneset hagedola were the ones who created the list of those who did not receive a place in the World-to-Come. Rav Yehuda said in the name of Rav that they wanted to include King Solomon in the list, but God disagreed with them. Others, dorshei reshumot, held that all of them had a place in the World-to-Come (other than Bilam), deriving it from a verse in Tehillim 60:9-10.

This month's learning is sponsored by Linda and Jay Marcus in honor of the recent birth of their granddaughter; and the anniversaries and birthdays of their children and grandchildren during Nissan. "בניסן נגאלו ובניסן עתידין להיגאל. May we merit to see the גאולה שלמה במהרה בימינו." Today's daf is sponsored by Lisa Kolodny in honor of Nancy Kolodny's birthday! "So happy you are spending more time in Israel this year, spreading your light, your wisdom and your love to all those around you."  There is a debate about whether Menashe received a portion in the World-to-Come. Rabbi Yochanan brings three drashot in the name of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, each relating to different kings of the Judean kingdom, highlighting how far God goes to allow repentance. He also brought another drasha relating to the disgrace of the Sanhedrin at the time of the Babylonian exile. Rav Chisda says in the name of Rabbi Yirmia bar Abba three statements - one relating to the bad actions of some of the Judean kings, one relating to types of people who are not worthy of receiving the Divine Presence, and one explaining the verses in Tehillim 91:11-13 about evil not coming upon a person. Why is the letter ayin in 'reshaim' suspended above the other letters in the verse in Iyov 38:15? A braita explains that Menashe, Achav, and Yeravam all learned Torah, highlighting that their sins were worse, as they clearly understood the Torah and sinned nevertheless, with full intent. Other braitot suggest that other kings lost their portion in the World-to-Come. Descriptions are brought about some of the bad kings and how their action led to the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash.

Why did Yeravam, Achav, and Menashe lose their portion in the World-to-come? Despite the fact that they did terrible things, the rabbis also highlight that they did good things in their lives, particularly as it related to talmud Torah and respect for Torah scholars.