1. Hebrew Bible, Isaiah, 6.9-6.10 (8th cent. BCE - 5th cent. BCE)
| 6.9. וַיֹּאמֶר לֵךְ וְאָמַרְתָּ לָעָם הַזֶּה שִׁמְעוּ שָׁמוֹעַ וְאַל־תָּבִינוּ וּרְאוּ רָאוֹ וְאַל־תֵּדָעוּ׃ | 6.9. And He said: ‘Go, and tell this people: Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not." 6.10. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they, seeing with their eyes, and hearing with their ears, and understanding with their heart, return, and be healed.’" |
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2. Philo of Alexandria, Against Flaccus, 26 (1st cent. BCE - 1st cent. CE)
| 26. And when he was about to set out to take possession of his kingdom, Gaius advised him to avoid the voyage from Brundusium to Syria, which was a long and troublesome one, and rather to take the shorter one by Alexandria, and to wait for the periodical winds; for he said that the merchant vessels which set forth from that harbour were fast sailers, and that the pilots were most experienced men, who guided their ships like skilful coachmen guide their horses, keeping them straight in the proper course. And he took his advice, looking upon him both as his master and also as a giver of good counsel. |
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3. Josephus Flavius, Jewish Antiquities, 18.160 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
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4. New Testament, Acts, 1.1, 16.6, 16.7, 16.9, 16.10, 16.11, 16.12, 16.13, 16.14, 16.15, 16.16, 16.17, 20.5, 20.6, 20.7, 20.8, 20.9, 20.10, 20.11, 20.12, 20.13, 20.14, 20.15, 21, 21.1, 21.3, 21.4, 21.5, 21.6, 21.7, 21.8, 21.9, 21.10, 21.11, 21.12, 21.13, 21.14, 21.15, 21.16, 21.17, 21.18, 21.19, 21.20, 21.21, 21.22, 21.23, 21.24, 21.25, 21.26, 27.1, 27.1-28.16, 27.2, 27.3, 27.6, 27.7, 27.8, 27.9, 27.10, 27.11, 27.12, 27.13, 27.18, 27.19, 27.20, 27.21, 27.22, 27.23, 27.24, 27.25, 27.26, 27.27, 27.28, 28.11, 28.12, 28.13, 28.14, 28.15, 28.16, 28.17, 28.18, 28.19, 28.20, 28.21, 28.22, 28.23, 28.24, 28.25, 28.26, 28.27, 28.28, 28.29, 28.30, 28.31 (1st cent. CE - 2nd cent. CE)
| 1.1. The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach |
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5. New Testament, Luke, 1.1-1.4, 2.48, 9.51, 14.16-14.24, 22.39-22.46 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 1.1. Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us 1.2. even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us 1.3. it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus; 1.4. that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed. 2.48. When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you. 9.51. It came to pass, when the days were near that he should be taken up, he intently set his face to go to Jerusalem 14.16. But he said to him, "A certain man made a great supper, and he invited many people. 14.17. He sent out his servant at supper time to tell those who were invited, 'Come, for everything is ready now.' 14.18. They all as one began to make excuses. "The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please have me excused.' 14.19. Another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go try them out. Please have me excused.' 14.20. Another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I can't come.' 14.21. That servant came, and told his lord these things. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor, maimed, blind, and lame.' 14.22. The servant said, 'Lord, it is done as you commanded, and there is still room.' 14.23. The lord said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 14.24. For I tell you that none of those men who were invited will taste of my supper.' 22.39. He came out, and went, as his custom was, to the Mount of Olives. His disciples also followed him. 22.40. When he was at the place, he said to them, "Pray that you don't enter into temptation. 22.41. He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and he knelt down and prayed 22.42. saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done. 22.43. An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. 22.44. Being in agony he prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. 22.45. When he rose up from his prayer, he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping because of grief 22.46. and said to them, "Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation. |
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6. New Testament, Mark, 9.5 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 9.5. Peter answered Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let's make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. |
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7. Valerius Maximus, Memorable Deeds And Sayings, 1.6.8 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
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8. Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin, None (3rd cent. CE - 6th cent. CE)
| 98a. מלכים יראו וקמו שרים וישתחוו,אמר לו רבי אליעזר והלא כבר נאמר (ירמיהו ד, א) אם תשוב ישראל נאום ה' אלי תשוב אמר לו רבי יהושע והלא כבר נאמר (דניאל יב, ז) ואשמע את האיש לבוש הבדים אשר ממעל למימי היאור וירם ימינו ושמאלו אל השמים וישבע בחי העולם כי למועד מועדים וחצי וככלות נפץ יד עם קדש תכלינה כל אלה וגו' ושתק רבי אליעזר,ואמר רבי אבא אין לך קץ מגולה מזה שנאמר (יחזקאל לו, ח) ואתם הרי ישראל ענפכם תתנו ופריכם תשאו לעמי ישראל וגו' רבי (אליעזר) אומר אף מזה שנאמר (זכריה ח, י) כי לפני הימים (האלה) [ההם] שכר האדם לא נהיה ושכר הבהמה איננה וליוצא ולבא אין שלום מן הצר,מאי ליוצא ולבא אין שלום מן הצר רב אמר אף תלמידי חכמים שכתוב בהם שלום דכתיב (תהלים קיט, קסה) שלום רב לאהבי תורתך אין שלום מפני צר ושמואל אמר עד שיהיו כל השערים כולן שקולין,אמר רבי חנינא אין בן דוד בא עד שיתבקש דג לחולה ולא ימצא שנאמר (יחזקאל לב, יד) אז אשקיע מימיהם ונהרותם כשמן אוליך וכתב (בתריה) (יחזקאל כט, כא) ביום ההוא אצמיח קרן לבית ישראל,אמר רבי חמא בר חנינא אין בן דוד בא עד שתכלה מלכות הזלה מישראל שנאמר (ישעיהו יח, ה) וכרת הזלזלים במזמרות וכתיב בתריה בעת ההיא יובל שי לה' צבאות עם ממשך ומורט,אמר זעירי אמר רבי חנינא אין בן דוד בא עד שיכלו גסי הרוח מישראל שנאמר (צפניה ג, יא) כי אז אסיר מקרבך עליזי גאותך וכתיב (צפניה ג, יב) והשארתי בקרבך עם עני ודל וחסו בשם ה',אמר רבי שמלאי משום רבי אלעזר בר"ש אין בן דוד בא עד שיכלו כל שופטים ושוטרים מישראל שנאמר (ישעיהו א, כה) ואשיבה ידי עליך ואצרוף כבור סיגיך וגו' ואשיבה שופטיך,אמר עולא אין ירושלים נפדית אלא בצדקה שנאמר (ישעיהו א, כז) ציון במשפט תפדה ושביה בצדקה אמר רב פפא אי בטלי יהירי בטלי אמגושי אי בטלי דייני בטלי גזירפטי אי בטלי יהירי בטלי אמגושי דכתיב (ישעיהו א, כה) ואצרוף כבור סיגיך ואסירה כל בדיליך ואי בטלי דייני בטלי גזירפטי דכתיב (צפניה ג, טו) הסיר ה' משפטיך פנה אויבך,אמר ר' יוחנן אם ראית דור שמתמעט והולך חכה לו שנאמר (שמואל ב כב, כח) ואת עם עני תושיע וגו' אמר רבי יוחנן אם ראית דור שצרות רבות באות עליו כנהר חכה לו שנאמר (ישעיהו נט, יט) כי יבא כנהר צר (ו) רוח ה' נוססה בו וסמיך ליה ובא לציון גואל,ואמר רבי יוחנן אין בן דוד בא אלא בדור שכולו זכאי או כולו חייב בדור שכולו זכאי דכתיב (ישעיהו ס, כא) ועמך כולם צדיקים לעולם יירשו ארץ בדור שכולו חייב דכתיב (ישעיהו נט, טז) וירא כי אין איש וישתומם כי אין מפגיע וכתיב (ישעיהו מח, יא) למעני אעשה,אמר רבי אלכסנדרי רבי יהושע בן לוי רמי כתיב (ישעיהו ס, כב) בעתה וכתיב אחישנה זכו אחישנה לא זכו בעתה,אמר רבי אלכסנדרי רבי יהושע בן לוי רמי כתיב (דניאל ז, יג) וארו עם ענני שמיא כבר אינש אתה וכתיב (זכריה ט, ט) עני ורוכב על חמור זכו עם ענני שמיא לא זכו עני רוכב על חמור,אמר ליה שבור מלכא לשמואל אמריתו משיח על חמרא אתי אישדר ליה סוסיא ברקא דאית לי אמר ליה מי אית לך בר חיור גווני,ר' יהושע בן לוי אשכח לאליהו דהוי קיימי אפיתחא דמערתא דרבי שמעון בן יוחאי אמר ליה אתינא לעלמא דאתי אמר ליה אם ירצה אדון הזה אמר רבי יהושע בן לוי שנים ראיתי וקול ג' שמעתי,אמר ליה אימת אתי משיח אמר ליה זיל שייליה לדידיה והיכא יתיב אפיתחא דקרתא ומאי סימניה יתיב ביני עניי סובלי חלאים וכולן שרו ואסירי בחד זימנא איהו שרי חד ואסיר חד אמר דילמא מבעינא דלא איעכב,אזל לגביה אמר ליה שלום עליך רבי ומורי אמר ליה שלום עליך בר ליואי א"ל לאימת אתי מר א"ל היום אתא לגבי אליהו א"ל מאי אמר לך א"ל שלום עליך בר ליואי א"ל אבטחך לך ולאבוך לעלמא דאתי א"ל שקורי קא שקר בי דאמר לי היום אתינא ולא אתא א"ל הכי אמר לך (תהלים צה, ז) היום אם בקולו תשמעו,שאלו תלמידיו את רבי יוסי בן קיסמא אימתי בן דוד בא אמר מתיירא אני שמא תבקשו ממני אות אמרו לו אין אנו מבקשין ממך אות,א"ל לכשיפול השער הזה ויבנה ויפול ויבנה ויפול ואין מספיקין לבנותו עד שבן דוד בא אמרו לו רבינו תן לנו אות אמר להם ולא כך אמרתם לי שאין אתם מבקשין ממני אות,אמרו לו ואף על פי כן אמר להם אם כך יהפכו מי מערת פמייס לדם ונהפכו לדם,בשעת פטירתו אמר להן העמיקו לי ארוני | 98a. bKings shall see and arise, princes shall prostrate themselves,because of the Lord, Who is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, Who has chosen you” (Isaiah 49:7), indicating that redemption will come independent of repentance?, bRabbi Eliezer said to him: But isn’t it already stated: “If you will return, Israel, says the Lord, return to Me”(Jeremiah 4:1), indicating that redemption is contingent upon repentance? bRabbi Yehoshua said to him: But isn’t it already stated: “And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he lifted up his right hand and his left hand to heaven and swore by the One Who lives forever that it shall be for a period, periods, and a half; when the crushing of the power of the holy people shall have been completed, all thesethings shall be finished” (Daniel 12:7), indicating that the time for redemption is set and unrelated to repentance? bAnd Rabbi Eliezer was silent,unable to refute the proof from that verse.,§ bAnd Rabbi Abba says: You have nomore bexplicitmanifestation of the bendof days bthan thisfollowing phenomenon, bas it is stated: “But you, mountains of Israel, you shall give your branches, and yield your fruit to My people of Israel,for they will soon be coming” (Ezekiel 36:8). When produce will grow in abundance in Eretz Yisrael, it is an indication that the Messiah will be coming soon. bRabbi Eliezer says:You have no greater manifestation of the end of days bthan thisfollowing phenomenon bas well, as it is stated: “For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; nor was there peace from the oppressor to him who exits and to him who enters”(Zechariah 8:10). When there are no wages for work and no rent paid for use of one’s animal, that is an indication that the coming of the Messiah is at hand.,The Gemara asks: bWhatis the meaning of the phrase: b“Nor was there peace from the oppressor to him who exits and to him who enters”? Rav says:It means that bevenfor bTorah scholars, with regard to whomthe promise of bpeace is written, as it is written: “Great peace have they who love Your Torah;and there is no obstacle for them” (Psalms 119:165), bthere will be no peace from the oppressor. And Shmuel says:It means that the Messiah will not come buntil all the prices are equal. /b, bRabbi Ḥanina says: The son of David will not come until a fish will be sought for an ill person and will not be found, as it is statedwith regard to the downfall of Egypt: b“Then I will make their waters clear and cause their rivers to run like oil”(Ezekiel 32:14), meaning that the current in the rivers will come to a virtual standstill. bAnd it is written thereafter: “On that day I will cause the glory of the house of Israel to flourish”(Ezekiel 29:21)., bRabbi Ḥama bar Ḥanina says: The son of David will not come until the contemptuous [ ihazalla /i] kingdomof Rome bwill cease from the Jewish people, as it is stated: “And He shall sever the sprigs [ ihazalzallim /i] with pruning hooks”(Isaiah 18:5). bAnd it is written thereafter: “At that time shall a present be brought to the Lord of hosts, by a people scattered and hairless”(Isaiah 18:7)., bZe’eiri saysthat bRabbi Ḥanina says: The son of David will not come until the arrogant will ceaseto exist bfromamong bthe Jewish people, as it is stated: “For then I will remove from your midst your proudly exulting ones”(Zephaniah 3:11), band it is writtenafterward: b“And I will leave in your midst a poor and lowly people, and they shall take refuge in the name of the Lord”(Zephaniah 3:12)., bRabbi Simlai says in the name of Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Shimon: The son of David will not come until all the judges and officers will ceaseto exist bfromamong bthe Jewish people,and there will be no more autonomous government in Eretz Yisrael, bas it is stated: “And I will turn My hand against you and purge away your dross as with lyeand take away your base alloy. bAnd I will restore your judgesas at the first” (Isaiah 1:25–26)., bUlla says: Jerusalem is redeemed only by means of righteousness, as it is stated: “Zion shall be redeemed with justice and those who return to it with righteousness”(Isaiah 1:27). bRav Pappa says: If the arrogant will ceaseto exist, bthePersian bsorcerers will ceaseto exist as well. bIf thedeceitful bjudgeswill bceaseto exist, bthe royal officers [ igazirpatei /i]and taskmasters bwill ceaseto exist. Rav Pappa elaborates: bIf the arrogant will cease, thePersian bsorcerers will cease, as it is written: “And I will purge away your dross [ isigayikh /i] as with lye, and I will remove all your alloy [ ibedilayikh /i].”When the arrogant [ isigim /i] are purged, the sorcerers, who are separated [ imuvdalim /i] from the fear of God, will also cease. bAnd if thedeceitful bjudges ceaseto exist, bthe royal officersand taskmasters bwill ceaseto exist, bas it is written: “The Lord has removed your judgments; cast out your enemy”(Zephaniah 3:15)., bRabbi Yoḥa says: If you saw a generation whosewisdom and Torah study bis steadily diminishing, awaitthe coming of the Messiah, bas it is stated: “And the afflicted people You will redeem”(II Samuel 22:28). bRabbi Yoḥa says: If you saw a generationwhose btroubles inundate it like a river, awaitthe coming of the Messiah, bas it is stated: “When distress will come like a river that the breath of the Lord drives”(Isaiah 59:19). bAnd juxtaposed to itis the verse: b“And a redeemer will come to Zion”(Isaiah 59:20)., bAnd Rabbi Yoḥa says: The son of David will come only in a generation that is entirely innocent,in which case they will be deserving of redemption, borin a generation that is bentirely guilty,in which case there will be no alternative to redemption. He may come bin a generation that is entirely innocent, as it is written: “And your people also shall be all righteous; they shall inherit the land forever”(Isaiah 60:21). He may come bin a generation that is entirely guilty, as it is written: “And He saw that there was no man, and was astonished that there was no intercessor;therefore His arm brought salvation to Him, and His righteousness, it sustained Him” (Isaiah 59:16). bAnd it is written:“For My own sake, bfor My own sake will I do it;for how should it be profaned? And My glory I will not give it to another” (Isaiah 48:11).,§ bRabbi Alexandri says: Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi raises a contradictionin a verse addressing God’s commitment to redeem the Jewish people. In the verse: “I the Lord in its time I will hasten it” (Isaiah 60:22), bit is written: “In its time,”indicating that there is a designated time for the redemption, band it is written: “I will hasten it,”indicating that there is no set time for the redemption. Rabbi Alexandri explains: bIf they meritredemption through repentance and good deeds bI will hastenthe coming of the Messiah. bIf they do not meritredemption, the coming of the Messiah will be bin itsdesignated btime. /b, bRabbi Alexandri says: Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi raises a contradictionbetween two depictions of the coming of the Messiah. bIt is written: “There came with the clouds of heaven, one like unto a son of man… /band there was given him dominion and glory and a kingdom…his dominion is an everlasting dominion” (Daniel 7:13–14). bAnd it is written:“Behold, your king will come to you; he is just and victorious; blowly and riding upon a donkeyand upon a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). Rabbi Alexandri explains: bIfthe Jewish people bmeritredemption, the Messiah will come in a miraculous manner bwith the clouds of heaven. If they do not meritredemption, the Messiah will come blowly and riding upon a donkey. /b, bKing Shapurof Persia bsaid to Shmuelmockingly: bYou saythat the bMessiahwill bcome on a donkey; I will send him the riding [ ibarka /i] horse that I have.Shmuel bsaid to him: Do you havea horse bwith one thousand colors [ ibar ḥivar gavanei /i]like the donkey of the Messiah? Certainly his donkey will be miraculous., bRabbi Yehoshua ben Levi found Elijahthe prophet, bwho was standing at the entrance of theburial bcave of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai.Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi bsaid to him: Will Ibe privileged to bcome to the World-to-Come?Elijah bsaid to him: If this Master,the Holy One, Blessed be He, bwill wishit so. bRabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: Two I saw,Elijah and me, band the voice of three I heard,as the Divine Presence was also there, and it was in reference to Him that Elijah said: If this Master will wish it so.,Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi bsaid toElijah: bWhenwill the bMessiah come?Elijah bsaid to him: Go ask him.Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi asked: bAnd where is he sitting?Elijah said to him: bAt the entrance ofthe city of bRome.Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi asked him: bAnd what is hisidentifying bsignby means of which I can recognize him? Elijah answered: bHe sits among the poor who suffer from illnesses. And all of them untietheir bandages band tiethem all bat once,but the Messiah bunties onebandage band ties oneat a time. bHe says: Perhaps I will be neededto serve to bring about the redemption. Therefore, I will never tie more than one bandage, so bthat I will not be delayed. /b,Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi bwent tothe Messiah. bHe said tothe Messiah: bGreetings to you, my rabbi and my teacher.The Messiah bsaid to him: Greetings to you, bar Leva’i.Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi bsaid to him: When will the Master come?The Messiah bsaid to him: Today.Sometime later, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi bcame to Elijah.Elijah bsaid to him: What didthe Messiah bsay to you? He said toElijah that the Messiah said: bGreetings [ ishalom /i] to you, bar Leva’i.Elijah bsaid to him:He thereby bguaranteedthat byou and your fatherwill enter bthe World-to-Come,as he greeted you with ishalom /i. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi bsaid toElijah: The Messiah blied to me, as he said to me: I am coming today, and he did not come.Elijah bsaid to himthat bthisis what bhe said to you:He said that he will come b“today, if you will listen to his voice”(Psalms 95:7).,§ bRabbi Yosei ben Kisma’s students asked him: When will the son of David come?Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma bsaid: I am hesitantto answer you, blest you request from me a signto corroborate my statement. bThey said to him: We are not asking you for a sign. /b,Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma bsaid to them:You will see bwhen thisexisting bgateof Rome bfalls and will be rebuilt, and will falla second time band will be rebuilt, and will falla third time. bAnd they will not manage to rebuild it until the son of David comes.The students bsaid to him: Our rabbi, give us a sign.Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma bsaid to them: But didn’t you say to me that you are not asking me for a sign? /b, bThey said to him: And nevertheless,provide us with a sign. Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma bsaid to them: If it isas I say, bthe water of the Cave of Pamyas will be transformed into blood.The Gemara relates: bAndit bwas transformed into blood. /b, bAt the time of his death,Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma bsaid tohis students: bPlace my coffin deepin the ground |
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9. Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat, None (3rd cent. CE - 6th cent. CE)
| 118b. נחלת יעקב אביך וגו' לא כאברהם שכתוב בו (בראשית יג, יז) קום התהלך בארץ לארכה וגו' ולא כיצחק שכתוב בו (בראשית כו, ג) כי לך ולזרעך אתן את כל הארצות האל אלא כיעקב שכתוב בו (בראשית כח, יד) ופרצת ימה וקדמה וצפונה ונגבה,ר"נ בר יצחק אמר ניצול משעבוד גליות כתיב הכא והרכבתיך על במתי ארץ וכתיב התם (דברים לג, כט) ואתה על במותימו תדרוך אמר רב יהודה אמר רב כל המענג את השבת נותנין לו משאלות לבו שנאמר (תהלים לז, ד) והתענג על ה' ויתן לך משאלות לבך עונג זה איני יודע מהו כשהוא אומר וקראת לשבת עונג הוי אומר זה עונג שבת במה מענגו רב יהודה בריה דרב שמואל בר שילת משמי' דרב אמר בתבשיל של תרדין ודגים גדולים וראשי שומין רב חייא בר אשי אמר רב אפי' דבר מועט ולכבוד שבת עשאו הרי זה עונג מאי היא א"ר פפא כסא דהרסנא,אמר ר' חייא בר אבא א"ר יוחנן כל המשמר שבת כהלכתו אפי' עובד ע"ז [כדור] אנוש מוחלין לו שנאמר (ישעיהו נו, ב) אשרי אנוש יעשה זאת וגו' מחללו אל תקרי מחללו אלא מחול לו,אמר רב יהודה אמר רב אלמלי שמרו ישראל שבת ראשונה לא שלטה בהן אומה ולשון שנאמר (שמות טז, כז) ויהי ביום השביעי יצאו מן העם ללקוט וכתיב בתריה ויבא עמלק אמר רבי יוחנן משום רבי שמעון בן יוחי אלמלי משמרין ישראל שתי שבתות כהלכתן מיד נגאלים שנא' (ישעיהו נו, ד) כה אמר ה' לסריסים אשר ישמרו את שבתותי וכתיב בתריה והביאותים אל הר קדשי וגו',אמר ר' יוסי יהא חלקי מאוכלי שלש סעודות בשבת א"ר יוסי יהא חלקי מגומרי הלל בכל יום איני והאמר מר הקורא הלל בכל יום הרי זה מחרף ומגדף כי קאמרינן בפסוקי דזמרא,א"ר יוסי יהא חלקי ממתפללים עם דמדומי חמה א"ר חייא בר אבא א"ר יוחנן מצוה להתפלל עם דמדומי חמה א"ר זירא מאי קרא (תהלים עב, ה) ייראוך עם שמש ולפני ירח דור דורים,וא"ר יוסי יהא חלקי ממתי בחולי מעיים דאמר מר רובן של צדיקים מתים בחולי מעיים וא"ר יוסי יהא חלקי ממתי בדרך מצוה וא"ר יוסי יהא חלקי ממכניסי שבת בטבריא וממוציאי שבת בצפורי וא"ר יוסי יהא חלקי ממושיבי בהמ"ד ולא ממעמידי בהמ"ד,וא"ר יוסי יהא חלקי מגבאי צדקה ולא ממחלקי צדקה וא"ר יוסי יהא חלקי ממי שחושדין אותו ואין בו אמר רב פפא לדידי חשדן ולא הוה בי,א"ר יוסי חמש בעילות בעלתי ונטעתי חמשה ארזים בישראל ומאן אינון ר' ישמעאל ברבי יוסי ור' אלעזר בר"י ור' חלפתא בר"י ור' אבטילס בר"י ורבי מנחם בר' יוסי והאיכא ורדימס היינו ורדימס היינו מנחם ואמאי קרי ליה ורדימס שפניו דומין לורד למימרא דרבי יוסי מצות עונה לא קיים אלא אימא חמש בעילות בעלתי ושניתי,אמר רבי יוסי מימי לא קריתי לאשתי אשתי ולשורי שורי אלא לאשתי ביתי ולשורי שדי,אמר ר' יוסי מימי לא נסתכלתי במילה שלי איני והאמרו ליה לרבי מאי טעמא קראו לך רבינו הקדוש אמר להו מימי לא נסתכלתי במילה שלי ברבי מילתא אחריתי הוה ביה שלא הכניס ידו תחת אבנטו וא"ר יוסי מימי לא ראו קורות ביתי אימרי חלוקי,וא"ר יוסי מימי לא עברתי על דברי חברי יודע אני בעצמי שאיני כהן אם אומרים לי חבירי עלה לדוכן אני עולה וא"ר יוסי מימי לא אמרתי דבר וחזרתי לאחורי,אמר רב נחמן) תיתי לי דקיימית ג' סעודות בשבת אמר רב יהודה תיתי לי דקיימית עיון תפלה אמר רב הונא בריה דרב יהושע תיתי לי דלא סגינא ד' אמות בגילוי הראש אמר רב ששת תיתי לי דקיימית מצות תפילין ואמר ר"נ תיתי לי דקיימית מצות ציצית,אמר ליה רב יוסף לרב יוסף בריה דרבה אבוך במאי זהיר טפי אמר ליה בציצית יומא חד הוה קא סליק בדרגא איפסיק ליה חוטא ולא נחית ואתא כמה דלא רמיה ואמר אביי תיתי לי דכי חזינא צורבא מרבנן דשלים מסכתיה | 118b. bon the inheritance of Jacob your father,as the mouth of God has spoken” (Isaiah 58:13–14). The reward for delighting in Shabbat is specifically the portion of Jacob. bNot that of Abraham, about whom it is written, “Rise, walk through the land through its lengthand its width because I have given it to you” (Genesis 13:17), i.e., only this land alone in its borders. bAnd not that of Isaac, about whom it is written,“Dwell in this land and I will be with you and I will bless you bbecause I will give all of these lands to you and your offspring”(Genesis 26:3), meaning these lands and no others. bRather, that of Jacob, about whom it is written,“And your offspring will be like the dust of the earth, band you will spread out to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south,and all of the families of the land will be blessed through you and your offspring” (Genesis 28:14). There are no boundaries for Jacob’s portion., bRav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said:One who delights in Shabbat bis rescued from the oppression of exile.He derives it by means of a verbal analogy. bIt is written here,with regard to Shabbat: b“And I will cause you to ride on the heights [ ibamotei /i] of the world”(Isaiah 58:14), band it is written there:“You are fortunate Israel, who is like you? A nation redeemed by God, the shield that aids you and the sword of your triumph. Your enemies will try to defeat you band you will trample their high places [ ibamoteimo /i]”(Deuteronomy 33:29). bRav Yehuda saidthat bRav said:With regard to banyone who delights in the Shabbat,God bgrants him his heart’s desires,as bit is stated: “And you shall delight in God and He will grant you your heart’s desires”(Psalms 37:4). bThis delightin God, which is mentioned in the verse, bI do not know what it is. When it says: “And you shall call the Shabbat delight,”one bmust say: It is the delight of Shabbat.The Gemara asks: bWith what does one delightin the day of Shabbat? bRav Yehuda, son of Rav Shmuel bar Sheilat, said in the name of Rav: With a dish of beets, and large fish, and heads of garlic. Rav Ḥiyya bar Ashisaid that bRav said: Evenwith regard to ba small item and one prepared it in deference to Shabbat, it isa bdelight.The Gemara asks: bWhat isthe small item mentioned? bRav Pappa said: Small fried fish. /b, bRabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba saidthat bRabbi Yoḥa said:With regard to banyone who observes Shabbat in accordance with its ihalakhot /i, evenif he bworships idolatry asin bthe generation of Enosh,God bforgives himhis sins, bas it is stated: “Fortunate is the man [enosh] who does thisand the person who holds strong to it, one who guards the Shabbat bfrom desecrating it [ imeḥallelo /i],and guards his hand from doing any evil” (Isaiah 56:2). bDo not readit as: bFrom desecrating it [ imeḥallelo /i], but rather: He is forgiven [ imaḥul lo /i].With regard to the generation of Enosh it is written: “And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enosh. Then they began [ ihuḥal /i] to call upon the Name of God” (Genesis 4:26), meaning to desecrate [ ileḥallel /i] His name., bRav Yehuda saidthat bRav said: Had the Jewish peopleproperly bobservedthe bfirst Shabbatthat was commanded them, bno nation or tongue would haveever bruled them, as it is stated: “And it happened on the seventh day, some people went out from the nation to collectand they did not find” (Exodus 16:27). bAnd it is written afterthey went out to collect manna: b“And Amalek cameand fought with Israel in Refidim” (Exodus 17:8). bRabbi Yoḥa said in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai: If only the Jewish people would keep two iShabbatotin accordance with their ihalakhot /i,they would be bimmediately redeemed,as bit is stated: “So said God to the eunuchs who will keep My Shabbatot”(Isaiah 56:4), band it is written afterthat: b“And I will bring them to My holy mountainand will let them rejoice in My house of prayer” (Isaiah 56:7)., bRabbi Yosei said: May my portion be among those who eat three meals on Shabbat.Apropos this statement of Rabbi Yosei, the Gemara cites additional declarations. bRabbi Yosei said: May my portion be among those who complete hallel every day.The Gemara is surprised at this: bIs that so? Didn’t the Master say: One who reads ihallelevery day istantamount to bone who curses and blasphemesGod. He displays contempt for ihallelby not reserving it for days on which miracles occurred. The Gemara answers: bWhen we saythis statement of Rabbi Yosei, we are referring to bthe verses of praise [ ipesukei dezimra /i],recited during the morning service, not to ihallel(Psalms 113–118) recited on special days.,And furthermore, bRabbi Yosei said: May my portion be among those who praythe morning and afternoon prayers bwith the reddening of the sun,i.e., the morning prayer at sunrise and the afternoon prayer adjacent to nightfall. bRabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba saidthat bRabbi Yoḥa said: It is a mitzva to pray with the reddening of the sun. Rabbi Zeira said: What versealludes to this? b“They will fear You with the sun and before the moon, generation upon generation”(Psalms 72:5). Fear of God, prayer, should be with the sun and before the moon., bAnd Rabbi Yosei said: May my portion be among those who die from intestinal disease, as the Master said: Most righteous people die of intestinal disease.It is a very harsh disease through which the sins of righteous people are cleansed before their death and also, as a result, they die with a clean body. bAnd Rabbi Yosei said: May my portion be among those who die on the path toperform ba mitzva. And Rabbi Yosei said: May my portion be among those who accept Shabbat in Tiberias,which is in a valley where day turns to evening earlier, band among those who see Shabbat out in Tzippori,which is located on a mountain top where the sun is visible for longer, and Shabbat ends later. bAnd Rabbi Yosei said: May my portion be among those who seatothers bin the study hall,i.e., who cause others to come sit and study, band not among those who causeothers bto stand in the study hall,i.e., who announce that it is time to leave the study hall and go to eat., bAnd Rabbi Yosei said: May my portion be among the collectors of charity and not the distributors of charity.One who collects charity collects fixed amounts, whereas distributors may inadvertently fail to give the poor person enough to cover his needs. bAnd Rabbi Yosei said: May my portion be with one whomothers bsuspectof sin band there is nobasis for suspecting bhim. Rav Pappa said: They suspected me, and there was nobasis for suspecting bme. /b,Furthermore, bRabbi Yosei said: I engaged in relations five times, and I planted five cedars in Eretz Yisrael. And who arethese cedars? The sons of Rabbi Yosei, who were great Sages of Israel: bRabbi Yishmael, son of Rabbi Yosei, and Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Yosei, and Rabbi Ḥalafta, son of Rabbi Yosei, and Rabbi Avtilas, son of Rabbi Yosei, and Rabbi Menaḥem, son of Rabbi Yosei.The Gemara asks: bIsn’t there Vardimas,who was also Rabbi Yosei’s son? The Gemara answers: bVardimas is the same as Menaḥem. And why did they call him Vardimas?Because bhis face was asbeautiful as ba rose [ ivered /i].The Gemara asks: bIs that to saybased on this statement that bRabbi Yosei did not fulfill the mitzva ofhis wife’s bconjugal rights,but only had relations with her five times? bRather, sayit this way: bI engaged in relations five times and I did so again,and the Sages said that one who seeks to father male offspring should engage in relations and do so again.,Furthermore, bRabbi Yosei saidthat he always spoke euphemistically: bIn all my days, I did not call my wife, my wife, nor my ox, my ox. Rather,I called bmy wife, my home,because she is the essence of the home, band my ox, my field,because it is the primary force in the fields., bRabbi Yosei said: In all my days,due to modesty, bI never looked at my circumcision.The Gemara asks: bIs that so? Didn’t they say to RabbiYehuda HaNasi: bWhy did they call you our holy Rabbi? He said to them:It is because bin all my days I never looked at my circumcision.If so, why wasn’t Rabbi Yosei also called our holy Rabbi? The Gemara replies: bInthe case of bRabbiYehuda HaNasi, banother matterof modesty bwaspresent bin him, as he did not insert his hand below his beltdue to his great modesty. bAnd Rabbi Yosei said: In all my days, the walls of my house never saw the seams of my robedue to modesty, as he would only undress under his bed sheets., bAnd Rabbi Yosei said: In all my days I never violated the words of my friends. I know about myself that I am not a priest,and nevertheless, bif my friends say to me: Go up to the platformwith the priests, bI go up. And Rabbi Yosei said: In all my days I never said something and then retreatedfrom it. Rabbi Yosei never said something positive or negative about a specific person and then denied it., bRav Naḥman said: May I receivemy reward bbecause I fulfilledthe obligation to eat bthree meals on Shabbatmagnificently. bRav Yehuda said: May I receivemy reward bbecause I fulfilledthe obligation of bconsiderationduring bprayer. Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua, said: May I receivemy reward because bI never walked four cubits with my head uncovered. Rav Sheshet said: May I receivemy reward bbecause I fulfilled the mitzva of phylacteriesmagnificently. bAnd Rav Naḥman said: May I receivemy reward bbecause I fulfilled the mitzva of ritual fringesmagnificently., bRav Yosef said to Rav Yosef, son of Rabba: In whatarea bwas your father,Rabba, bespecially vigilant?He bsaid to him:It was binthe mitzva of britual fringes.The Gemara relates: bOne day he was climbing the stairswhen a bstringfrom his ritual fringes bwas severed, and he would not descend until he placeda new string bonthe garment. bAnd Abaye said: May I receivemy reward because bwhen I see a young Torah scholar who has completed a tractatethat bhestudied |
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