ראש השנה פרק א - כִּי נָח נַפְשֵׁיהּ דְּאַהֲרֹן, אַכַּתִּי הֲוָה סִיחוֹן קַיָּם, דִּכְתִיב: (במדבר כא) "וַיִּשְׁמַע הַכְּנַעֲנִי מֶלֶךְ עֲרָד", מַה שְּׁמוּעָה שָׁמַע? שָׁמַע שֶׁמֵּת אַהֲרֹן וְנִסְתַּלְּקוּ עַנְנֵי כָּבוֹד, וּכְסָבוּר, נִתְּנָה רְשׁוּת לְהִלָּחֵם עִם יִשְׂרָאֵל. וְהַיְנוּ דִּכְתִיב: (שם כ) "וַיִּרְאוּ כָּל הָעֵדָה כִּי גָוַע אַהֲרֹן". וְאָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּהוּ: אַל תִּקְרִי: "וַיִּרְאוּ" אֶלָּא "וַיֵּרָאוּ", כִּדְרֵישׁ לָקִישׁ, דְּאָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: 'כִּי' מְשַׁמֵּשׁ בְּאַרְבַּע לְשׁוֹנוֹת, 'אִי', 'דִּילְמָא', 'אֶלָּא', 'דְּהָא'. מִי דָּמִי? הָתָם 'כְּנַעַן', הָכָא 'סִיחוֹן'! תָּנָא: הוּא 'סִיחוֹן', הוּא 'עֲרָד', הוּא 'כְּנַעַן'. 'סִיחוֹן', שֶׁדּוֹמֶה לִסְיָח בַּמִּדְבָּר, 'כְּנַעַן', עַל שֵׁם מַלְכוּתוֹ, וּמַה שְּׁמוֹ? 'עֲרָד' שְׁמוֹ. אִיכָּא דְּאַמְרֵי: 'עֲרָד', שֶׁדּוֹמֶה לְעָרוֹד בַּמִּדְבָּר. 'כְּנַעַן', עַל שֵׁם מַלְכוּתוֹ, וּמַה שְּׁמוֹ? 'סִיחוֹן' שְׁמוֹ. (1) ROSH HASHANAH (Fol. 2b) "When Aaron died, Sichon was still living (Fol. 3), as it is written (Num. 21, 1) And the Canaanite, the king of Arad, heard. What did he hear? He heard that Aaron had died, and that the "clouds" of glory had departed; and he thought that this was a sign from Heaven that he was permitted to fight Israel. Thus the passage becomes clear. (Ib. 20, 29) And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead. Concerning this passage R. Abahu remarked: "Do not read it Vayir'u (and when all saw), but read it Vayira'u (and they became frightened); as Resh Lakish said; for Resh Lakish said: 'The work Ki has four meanings: if, perhaps (lest), but, because.'" But how can we make any such comparison, since in the one place it speaks of the Canaanites, and in the other of Sichon? We are taught in a Baraitha that Sichon, Arad and the Canaanites are identical; he was named Sichon because he was untamed, as a foal in the desert; he was named Canaan because of his kingdom; but his real name was Arad. Others, however, say: "He was named Arad because he was like a wild ass in the desert; he was named Canaan because of his kingdom; but his real name was Sichon."
[תַּנְיָא: דְּבָרִים שֶׁאָמַר חֲנָנִי לִנְחֶמְיָה בְּכִסְלֵו, אֲמָרָן נְחֶמְיָה לַמֶּלֶךְ בְּנִיסָן. דְּבָרִים שֶׁאָמַר חֲנָנִי לִנְחֶמְיָה בְּכִסְלֵו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (נחמיה א) "דִּבְרֵי נְחֶמְיָה בֶּן חֲכַלְיָה. וַיְהִי בְחֹדֶשׁ כִּסְלֵו, שְׁנַת עֶשְׂרִים, וַאֲנִי הָיִיתִי בְּשׁוּשַׁן הַבִּירָה, וַיָּבֹא חֲנָנִי, אֶחָד מֵאַחַי, הוּא וַאֲנָשִׁים מִיהוּדָה. וָאֶשְׁאָלֵם עַל הַיְּהוּדִים, הַפְּלֵיטָה אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁאֲרוּ מִן הַשֶּׁבִי, וְעַל יְרוּשָׁלָיִם. וַיֹּאמְרוּ לִי: הַנִּשְׁאָרִים אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁאֲרוּ מִן הַשְּׁבִי שָׁם בַּמְּדִינָה, בְּרָעָה גְדֹלָה, וּבְחֶרְפָּה, וְחוֹמַת יְרוּשָׁלַםִ מְפֹרָצֶת, וּשְׁעָרֶיהָ נִצְּתוּ בָאֵשׁ". אֲמָרָן נְחֶמְיָה לַמֶּלֶךְ בְּנִיסָן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (נחמיה ב) "וַיְהִי בְּחֹדֶשׁ נִיסָן, שְׁנַת עֶשְׁרִים לְאַרְתַּחְשַׁסְתְּא הַמֶּלֶךְ, יַיִן לְפָנָיו, וָאֶשָּׁא אֶת הַיַּיִן וָאֶתְּנָה לַמֶּלֶךְ, וְלֹא הָיִיתִי רַע לְפָנָיו. וַיֹּאמֶר לִי הַמֶּלֶךְ: מַדּוּעַ פָּנֶיךָ רָעִים, וְאַתָּה אֵינְךָ חוֹלֶה? אֵין זֶה כִּי אִם רֹעַ לֵב! וָאִירָא הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד. וָאֹמַר לַמֶּלֶךְ: הַמֶּלֶךְ לְעוֹלָם יִחְיֶה, מַדּוּעַ לֹא יֵרְעוּ פָנַי? אֲשֶׁר הָעִיר, בֵּית קִבְרוֹת אֲבֹתַי, חֲרֵבָה, וּשְׁעָרֶיהָ אֻכְּלוּ בָאֵשׁ. וַיֹּאמֶר לִי הַמֶּלֶךְ: עַל מַה זֶּה אַתָּה מְבַקֵּשׁ? וָאֶתְפַּלֵּל אֶל אֱלֹהֵי הַשָּׁמָיִם, וָאֹמַר לַמֶּלֶךְ: אִם עַל הַמֶּלֶךְ טוֹב, וְאִם יִיטַב עַבְדְּךָ לְפָנֶיךָ, אֲשֶׁר תִּשְׁלָחֵנִי אֶל יְהוּדָה, [אֶל] עִיר קִבְרוֹת אֲבֹתַי וְאֶבְנֶנָּה. וַיֹּאמֶר לִי הַמֶּלֶךְ, וְהַשֵּׁגַל יוֹשֶׁבֶת אֶצְלוֹ: עַד מָתַי יִהְיֶה מַהֲלָכְךָ? וּמָתַי תָּשׁוּב? וַיִּיטַב לִפְנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ, וַיִּשְׁלָחֵנִי, וָאֶתְּנָה לוֹ זְמָן"].
א אָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּהוּ: כֹּרֶשׁ, מֶלֶךְ כָּשֵׁר הָיָה, לְפִיכָךְ מָנוּ לוֹ כְּמַלְכֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, מַתְקִיף לָהּ רַב יוֹסֵף: [חֲדָא], דְּאִם כֵּן קָשׁוּ קְרָאֵי אַהֲדָדֵי, דִּכְתִיב: (עזרא ו) "וְשֵׁיצִיא בַּיְתָה דְּנָה עַד יוֹם תְּלָתָה לִירַח אֲדָר, דִּי הִיא שְׁנַת שֵׁת [לְמַלְכוּת דָּרְיָוֶשׁ מַלְכָּא". וְתַנְיָא: בְּאוֹתוֹ זְמַן לַשָּׁנָה הַבָּאָה, עָלָה עֶזְרָא מִבָּבֶל וְגָלוּתוֹ עִמּוֹ. וּכְתִיב: (שם ז) "וַיָּבֹא יְרוּשָׁלַםִ בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַחֲמִישִׁי, הִיא שְׁנַת הַשְּׁבִיעִית לַמֶּלֶךְ". וְאִם אִיתָא, "שְׁנַת הַשְּׁמִינִית", מִבָּעִי לֵיהּ? וְעוֹד, מִי דָּמִי? הָתָם, 'כֹּרֶשׁ', הָכָא 'דָּרְיָוֶשׁ'? תָּנָא: הוּא 'כֹּרֶשׁ', הוּא 'דָּרְיָוֶשׁ', הוּא 'אַרְתַּחְשַׁסְתְּא'. 'כֹּרֶשׁ', שֶׁמֶּלֶךְ כָּשֵׁר הָיָה. 'אַרְתַּחְשַׁסְתְּא', עַל שֵׁם מַלְכוּתוֹ. וּמַה שְּׁמוֹ? 'דָּרְיָוֶשׁ' שְׁמוֹ. מִכָּל מָקוֹם קַשְׁיָא! אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק:] לָא קַשְׁיָא. כָּאן, קֹדֶם שֶׁהֶחֱמִיץ, כָּאן, לְאַחַר שֶׁהֶחֱמִיץ. מַתְקִיף לָהּ רַב כַּהֲנָא: וּמִי הֶחֱמִיץ?! וְהָכְּתִיב: (שם ו) "וּמָה חַשְׁחָן, וּבְנֵי תוֹרִין, וְדִכְרִין, וְאִמְּרִין, לַעֲלָוָן לֶאֱלָהּ שְׁמַיָּא, חִנְטִין, מְלַח, חֲמַר, וּמְשַׁח, כְּמֵאמַר כָּהֲנַיָּא דִי בִירוּשְׁלֶם, לֶהֱוֵא מִתְיְהֵב לְהֹם יוֹם בְּיוֹם, דִּי לָא שָׁלוּ". אָמַר לֵיהּ רַבִּי יִצְחָק: [רַבִּי], מִטּוּנָךְ! "דִּי לֶהֱוֹן מְהַקְרְבִין נִיחוֹחִין לֶאֱלָהּ שְׁמַיָּא, וּמְצַלַּיִן לְחַיֵּי מַלְכָּא וּבְנוֹהִי". וּמַאן דְּעָבִיד הָכִי, לָאו מַעַלְיוּתָא הִיא? וְהָתַנְיָא: הָאוֹמֵר: (תנו) סֶלַע זֶה (לפלוני) לִצְדָקָה בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁיִּחְיוּ בָּנַי, וּבִשְׁבִיל שֶׁאֶזְכֶּה לְחַיֵּי הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, הֲרֵי זֶה צַדִּיק גָּמוּר, לָא קַשְׁיָא, כָּאן, בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, כָּאן, בְּגּוֹיִים [עוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִים]. וְאִי בָּעִית אֵימָא: מְנָא לָן דְּאַחְמִיץ? (מֵהָכָא) [דִּכְתִיב]: (עזרא ו) "נִדְבָּכִין דִּי אֶבֶן גְּלָל תְּלָתָא, וְנִדְבָּךְ דִּי אָע חֲדַת" וְגוֹ'. לָמָּה לֵיהּ לְמִיעֲבַד הָכִי? סָבַר: אִי מָרְדוּ בִּי יְהוּדָאֵי, אִיקַלְיֵיה בְּנוּרָא. אֲטוּ שְׁלֹמֹה לָא עָבַד הָכִי? וְהָכְּתִיב: (מלכים א ו) ("וַיַּעַשׂ שְׁלֹמֹה") "שְׁלֹשָׁה טוּרֵי גָזִית, וְטוּר כְּרֻתֹת אֲרָזִים". שְׁלֹמֹה עָבַד מִלְּמַעְלָה, וְאִיהוּ עָבַד מִלְּמַטָּה. שְׁלֹמֹה שַׁקְעֵיהּ בְּבִנְיָנָא, וְאִיהוּ לָא שַׁקְעֵיהּ בְּבִנְיָנָא. (וְאִי בָּעִית אֵימָא:) שְׁלֹמֹה סַדְּיֵיהּ בְּסִידָא, [אִיהוּ לָא סַדְּיֵיהּ בְּסִידָא]. (אָמַר רַב יִצְחָק:) אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף, וְאִיתֵּימָא רַבִּי יִצְחָק: (וְאִיתֵימָא רַב נַחְמָן:) מְנָא לָן דְּאַחְמִיץ? מֵהָכָא: (נחמיה ב) "וַיֹּאמֶר לִי הַמֶּלֶךְ, וְהַשֵּׁגַל יוֹשֶׁבֶת אֶצְלוֹ". מַאי 'שֵׁגַל'? אָמַר (רָבָא) [רַבָּה] בַּר לִימָא מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרַב: כַּלְבְּתָא. אֶלָּא מֵעַתָּה, הָא דִּכְתִיב: (דניאל ה) "וְעַל מָרֵא שְׁמַיָּא הִתְרוֹמַמְתָּ, וּלְמָאנַיָּא דִי בַיְתֵהּ הַיְתִיו קָדָמָךְ, וְאַנְתְּ וְרַבְרְבָנָךְ, שֵׁגְלָתָךְ, וּלְחֵנָתָךְ, חַמְרָא שָׁתַיִן בְּהוֹן". וְאִי 'שֵׁגַל', כַּלְבְּתָא הִיא. כַּלְבְּתָא, בַּת שָׁתְיָא חַמְרָא הִיא? (אָמַר לֵיהּ:) "הָא לָא קַשְׁיָא, דְּמַלְפֵי לָהּ וְשָׁתְיָא. אֶלָּא מֵעַתָּה, דִּכְתִיב: (תהלים מה) "בְּנוֹת מְלָכִים בִּיקְּרוֹתֶיךָ, נִצְּבָה שֵׁגַל לִימִינְךָ בְּכֶתֶם אוֹפִיר". וְאִי 'שֵׁגַל' כַּלְבְּתָא הִיא, מַאי קָא מְבַשֵׂר לְהוּ נָבִיא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל? הָכִי קָאָמַר: בִּשְׂכַר שֶׁחֲבִיבָה תּוֹרָה לְיִשְׁרָאֵל, כְּשֵׁגַל זוֹ לְעוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִים, זָכוּ לְכֶתֶם אוֹפִיר. וְאִי בָּעִית אֵימָא: לְעוֹלָם 'שֵׁגַל', מַלְכְּתָא הִיא, (ורבא) [וְרַבָּה] בַּר לִימָא גְּמָרָא גָּמִיר לָהּ. וְאַמַאי קָרִי לָהּ 'שֵׁגַל'? שֶׁהָיְתָה חֲבִיבָה עָלָיו כְּשֵׁגַל. אִי נַמִי, שֶׁהוֹשִׁיבָהּ בִּמְקוֹם שֵׁגַל. (2) (Fol. 3b) R. Abahu said: "Cyrus was a worthy king, and therefore were his royal years counted in accordance with those of the kings of Israel [beginning with Nissan]." R. Joseph raised the following question: If this be so, the passages would contradict each other, for it is written (Ezra 6, 15) And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king, etc. This is not difficult to explain; one passage refers to the time prior to his becoming wicked, and the other refers to the time after he had become wicked. R. Cahana raised the following objection: 'How can we assume that Cyrus became wicked? Behold (Fol. 4), it is written (Ib. ib., 9), And that which they have need of both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for burnt-offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine and oil, according to the word of the priests that are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail." Whereupon R. Isaac said to him: "Rabbi, I shall borrow from your own argument; [i.e., I will prove the contrary, from the very passage on which you base your inference]. That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savour unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons, hence he did it for his own benefit." But do you mean to say that if one acts in this way, it is not considered proper? Behold, we are taught in a Baraitha, that if one says: "This dollar shall go for charity in order that my son shall remain alive, or that I shall merit the reward of the future world," he is considered perfectly righteous. This is not difficult to explain. The latter deals with an Israelite, and the former with an idolator. And if you please, I will say that although there is no difference between an Israelite and a nonIsraelite, it can be proved from the following passage that Cyrus became wicked (Ib. ib., 4) With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber, etc. For what purpose did he order it to be constructed in this way; viz., with timber? Was it not for the purpose that he entertained the thought: In case Israel will rebel against me, I shall put the Temple on fire. But has it not so been done also by Solomon? Behold, it is written (I Kings 6, 36) Of three rows of hewn stone and one row of cedar beams! Solomon inserted the wood in the upper part, where it could not be affected; but Cyrus set it in the lower part, which could he put on fire; Solomon also inserted it inside, while Cyrus inserted it outside the wall. And if you please, I say that Solomon covered the wood with cement, hence it became harmless; but Cyrus did not cover it with cement.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנָן: (דברים כג) 'מוֹצָא שְׂפָתֶיךָ' זוֹ מִצְוַת עֲשֵׂה. 'תִּשְׁמֹר', זוֹ מִצְוַת לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה. 'וְעָשִׂיתָ', אַזְהָרָה לְבֵית־דִּין שֶׁיְּעַשּׂוּךָ. "כַּאֲשֶׁר נָדַרְתָּ" זֶה נֶדֶר. "לַה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ" אֵלּוּ חַטָּאוֹת וַאֲשָׁמוֹת, עוֹלוֹת וּשְׁלָמִים. 'נְדָבָה', כְּמַשְׁמָעָהּ. "אֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתָּ" אֵלּוּ קָדְשֵׁי בֶּדֶק הַבַּיִת. 'בְּפִיךָ' זוֹ צְדָקָה.
[כְּתִיב: (תהילים פ״א:ד׳) "תִּקְעוּ בַחֹדֶשׁ שׁוֹפָר, בַּכֶּסֶה לְיוֹם חַגֵּנוּ". אֵיזֶהוּ חַג שֶׁהַחֹדֶשׁ מִתְכַּסֶּה בּוֹ? הֱוֵי אוֹמֵר: זֶה רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה. וּכְתִיב: (שם) "כִּי חֹק לְיִשְׂרָאֵל הוּא, מִשְׁפָּט לֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב"].
"וְקִדַּשְׁתֶּם אֵת שְׁנַת הַחֲמִשִּׁים", (ויקרא כה) "מְלַמֵּד: שֶׁמִּתְקַדֶּשֶׁת וְהוֹלֶכֶת מִתְּחִלָּתָהּ, מִכָּאן אָמַר רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל בְּנוֹ שֶׁל רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן בֶּן בְּרוֹקָה: מֵרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה וְעַד יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים לֹא הָיוּ עֲבָדִים נִפְטָרִים לְבָתֵּיהֶם, וְלֹא מִשְׁתַּעְבְּדִים לַאֲדוֹנֵיהֶם, אֶלָּא אוֹכְלִים וְשׁוֹתִים וּשְׂמֵחִים, וְעַטְרוֹתֵיהֶם בְּרָאשֵׁיהֶם. כֵּיוָן שֶׁהִגִּיעַ יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים, תָּקְעוּ בֵּית־דִּין בַּשּׁוֹפָר, נִפְטְרוּ עֲבָדִים לְבָתֵּיהֶן, וְשָׂדוֹת חוֹזְרוֹת לְבַעֲלֵיהֶן.
ב תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: בְּתִשְׁרֵי נִבְרָא הָעוֹלָם. בְּתִשְׁרֵי נוֹלְדוּ אָבוֹת. בְּתִשְׁרֵי מֵתוּ אָבוֹת. בְּפֶסַח נוֹלַד יִצְחָק. בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה נִפְקְדוּ שָׂרָה, וְרָחֵל, וְחַנָּה. בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה יָצָא יוֹסֵף מִבֵּית הָאֲסוּרִין. בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה בָּטְלָה עֲבוֹדָה מֵאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בְּמִצְרָיִם. בְּנִיסָן נִגְאֲלוּ, (יִשְׂרָאֵל) וּבְתִשְׁרֵי עֲתִידִין לִגָּאֵל. רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אוֹמֵר: בְּנִיסָן נִבְרָא הָעוֹלָם. בְּנִיסָן נוֹלְדוּ אָבוֹת. בְּנִיסָן מֵתוּ אָבוֹת. בְּפֶסַח נוֹלַד יִצְחָק. בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה נִפְקְדוּ שָׂרָה, רָחֵל, וְחַנָּה. בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה יָצָא יוֹסֵף מִבֵּית הָאֲסוּרִין. בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה בָּטְלָה עֲבוֹדָה מֵאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בְּמִצְרָיִם. בְּנִיסָן נִגְאֲלוּ וּבְנִיסָן עֲתִידִין לִגָּאֵל. תַּנְיָא: רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: מִנַּיִן שֶׁבְּתִשְׁרֵי נִבְרָא הָעוֹלָם? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (בראשית א) "וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים: תַּדְשֵׁא הָאָרֶץ דֶּשֶׁא, עֵשֶׁב מַזְרִיעַ זֶרַע, עֵץ פְּרִי" וְגוֹ'. אֵיזֶהוּ חֹדֶשׁ שֶׁהָאָרֶץ מוֹצִיאָה דְּשָׁאִים, וְאִילָן מָלֵא פֵּרוֹת? הֱוֵי אוֹמֵר, זֶה תִּשְׁרֵי. וְאוֹתוֹ הַפֶּרֶק, זְמַן רְבִיעָה הָיָה, וְיָרְדוּ גְּשָׁמִים (עֲלֵיהֶם) וְצָמְחוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שם ב) "וְאֵד יַעֲלֶה מִן הָאָרֶץ" וְגוֹ'. רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אוֹמֵר: מִנַּיִן שֶׁבְּנִיסָן נִבְרָא הָעוֹלָם? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שם א) "וַתּוֹצֵא הָאָרֶץ דֶּשֶׁא עֵשֶׁב מַזְרִיעַ זֶרַע לְמִינֵהוּ, וְעֵץ עֹשֶׂה פְּרִי" וְגוֹ'. אֵיזֶהוּ חֹדֶשׁ שֶׁהָאָרֶץ (מוֹצִיאָה) [מְלֵאָה] דְּשָׁאִים וְאִילָן מוֹצִיא פֵּרוֹת? הֱוֵי אוֹמֵר: זֶה נִיסָן, וְאוֹתוֹ הַפֶּרֶק, זְמַן בְּהֵמָה חַיָּה וָעוֹף שֶׁמִּזְדַּוְּגִין זֶה עִם זֶה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (תהלים סה) "לָבְשׁוּ כָרִים הַצֹּאן" וְגוֹ'. וְאִידָךְ נַמִי, הָא כְּתִיב: (בראשית א) "וְעֵץ עֹשֶׁה פְּרִי"? הַהוּא, לִבְרָכָה לְדוֹרוֹת הוּא דִּכְתִיב! וְאִידָךְ נַמִי, הָכְּתִיב: "עֵץ פְּרִי"? הַהוּא, כְּרַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: מַעֲשֵׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית, בְּקוֹמָתָן נִבְרְאוּ, לְדַעְתָּן נִבְרְאוּ, לְצִבְיוֹנָם נִבְרְאוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שם ב) "וַיְכֻלּוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם וְהָאָרֶץ, וְכָל צְבָאָם". אַל תִּקְרִי 'צְבָאָם' אֶלָּא 'צִבְיוֹנָם'. רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: מִנַּיִן שֶׁבְּתִשְׁרֵי נוֹלְדוּ אָבוֹת? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (מלכים־א ח) "וַיִּקָּהֲלוּ אֶל הַמֶּלֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה כָּל אִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּיֶרַח הָאֵתָנִים בֶּחָג" וְגוֹ', יֶרַח שֶׁנּוֹלְדוּ בּוֹ אֵיתָנִי עוֹלָם. מַאי מַשְׁמַע, דְּהַאי 'אֵיתָן' לִישְׁנָא דְּתַקִּיפִין הוּא? דִּכְתִיב: (במדבר כד) "אֵיתָן מוֹשָׁבֶךָ" וְגוֹ'. וְאוֹמֵר: (מיכה ו) "שִׁמְעוּ הָרִים אֶת רִיב ה', וְהָאֵתָנִים מֹסְדֵי אָרֶץ" וְגוֹ'. וְאוֹמֵר: (ש"ה ב) "קוֹל דּוֹדִי הִנֵּה זֶה בָּא (וְגוֹ') [מְדַלֵּג עַל הֶהָרִים מְקַפֵּץ עַל הַגְּבָעוֹת"]. "מְדַלֵּג עַל הֶהָרִים", בִּזְכוּת אָבוֹת. "מְקַפֵּץ עַל הַגְּבָעוֹת", בִּזְכוּת אִמָּהוֹת. (3) (Fol. 10b) We have been taught that R. Eliezer says: "In the month of Tishri the world was created; in the month of Tishri the Patriarchs [Abraham and Jacob], were born, and in Tishri they died; Isaac was born on the Passover; on New Year's Day Sarah, Rachel and Hannah were visited [with the blessing of children]; on New Year's Day Joseph was released from prison; (Fol. 11) on New Year's Day the bondage of our fathers in Egypt ceased; in Nissan, however, they were redeemed [from Egypt], and in Tishri we shall again be redeemed." R. Joshua says: "The world was created in Nissan; in the same month the patriarchs were born, and in Nissan they died; Isaac was born on the Passover; on New Year's Day Sarah, Rachel and Hannah were visited with children. On New Year's Day Joseph was released from prison, and the bondage of our fathers in Egypt ceased on New Year's Day. In Nissan our ancestors were redeemed from Egypt, and in the same month we shall again be redeemed." We are taught in a Baraitha that R. Eliezer says: "Whence do we learn that the world was created in the month of Tishri? It is said (Gen. 1, 11) And God said. Let the earth bring forth grass, herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree, etc. In what month does the earth bring forth grass, and the trees at the same time are full of fruit? We must say it was in the month of Tishri; and [again it appears that] it was at the time of autumn, when the rain descended and the fruits flourished, as it is said (Ib. 2, 6) But there went up a mist from the earth," etc. R. Joshua says: "Whence do we learn that the world was created in the month of Nissan? It is said (Ib. 1, 12) And the earth brought forth grass, and herbs yielding seed, and trees yielding fruit, etc. In which month does the earth bring forth grass [and, at the same time, in which do] the trees bring forth fruit? We must say it was in the month of Nissan, at which time animals, domestic and wild, as well as birds, mate; as it is said (Ps. 65, 14) The meadows are clothed with flocks," etc. But how are the other Rabbis, who make other inferences, going to explain the following passage (Gen. 1, 12) And herbs yielding seed, etc. [which refers to Nissan]? This is written merely as a blessing for the coming generations. And, how are those that contend that the world was created in Nissan to explain the passage (Ib. ib.) And a tree of fruit [which proves that it was in the month of Tishri]? This refers to what R. Joshua b. Levi said; for R. Joshua b. Levi said: "All the works of creation were brought to being in full-grown stature, by their consent, by their own choice as to their shape, as it is said (Ib. 2, 1) Thus were finished the heavens and the earth and all their host. Do not read Tzeba'am (their host), but read it Tzib'yonam (their taste)." R. Eliezer said further: "Whence do we know that the patriarchs were born in the month of Tishri? It is said (I Kings 8, 2) And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto King Solomon at the feast, in the month Ethanim (strong; i.e., the month in which (Ethanim), the strong ones of the earth (the patriarchs), were born." How do we know that the expression ethan means strong? It is written (Num. 24, 21) Strong (Ethan) is thy dwelling-place; and it is also written (Micah 6, 2) Hear ye, O mountains, the Lord's controversy, and ye strong foundations, (v'ha'ethanim), etc. And it is also said (Songs 2, 8), Leaping over the mountains, skipping over the hills [implying that they were] leaping over the mountains for the sake of the patriarchs; skipping over the hills for the sake of our mothers [Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Leah].
ג רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אוֹמֵר: מִנַּיִן שֶׁבְּנִיסָן נוֹלְדוּ אָבוֹת? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (מלכים־א ו) "וַיְהִי בִשְׁמוֹנִים שָׁנָה וְאַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת שָׁנָה לְצֵאת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם, בַּשָּׁנָה הָרְבִיעִית בְּחֹדֶשׁ זִו" וְגוֹ'. יֶרַח שֶׁנּוֹלְדוּ בּוֹ זִיוְתָנִי עוֹלָם. וְהָכְּתִיב: "בְּיֶרַח הָאֵתָנִים"? הָתָם, דְּתַקִּיפֵי בְּמִצְווֹת. וְאִידָךְ, הָכְּתִיב נַמִּי: "בְּחֹדֶשׁ זִו"? הַהוּא, מִשּׁוּם דְּאִית בֵּיהּ זִיוָא לְאִילָנֵי, דְּאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה: הַאי מַאן דְּנָפִיק בְּיוֹמֵי דְּנִיסָן, וְחָזִי לְאִילָנֵי דִּמְלַבְלְבֵי, אוֹמֵר: "בָּרוּךְ שֶׁלֹּא חִסֵּר בְּעוֹלָמוֹ כְּלוּם, וּבָרָא בוֹ בְּרִיוֹת טוֹבוֹת וְאִילָנוֹת טוֹבִים לְהִתְנָאוֹת בָּהֶם בְּנֵי אָדָם". מַאן דְּאָמַר: בְּנִיסָן נוֹלְדוּ אָבוֹת, בְּנִיסָן מֵתוּ. מַאן דְּאָמַר: בְּתִשְׁרֵי נוֹלְדוּ, בְּתִשְׁרֵי מֵתוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (דברים לא) "בֶּן מֵאָה וְעֶשְׁרִים שָׁנָה אָנֹכִי הַיּוֹם" וְגוֹ'. שֶׁאֵין תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר 'הַיּוֹם', וּמַה תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר 'הַיּוֹם'? הַיּוֹם מָלְאוּ יָמַי וּשְׁנוֹתַי, לְלַמֶּדְךָ, שֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא יוֹשֵׁב וּמְמַלֵּא שְׁנוֹתֵיהֶם שֶׁל צַדִּיקִים מִיּוֹם לְיוֹם, וּמֵחֹדֶשׁ לְחֹדֶשׁ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שמות כג) "אֶת מִסְפַּר יָמֶיךָ אֲמַלֵּא". בְּפֶסַח נוֹלַד יִצְחָק, מְנָא לָן? דִּכְתִיב: (בראשית יח) "לַמּוֹעֵד אָשׁוּב אֵלֶיךָ כָּעֵת חַיָּה וּלְשָׂרָה בֵן". אֵימַת קָאִי? אִילֵימָא בְּפֶסַח וְקָאָמַר לֵיהּ: בַּעֲצֶרֶת, בְּחַמְשִׁין יוֹמִין מִי קָא יָלְדָה? אֶלָּא דְּקָאִי בַּעֲצֶרֶת, וְקָאָמַר לֵיהּ: בְּתִשְׁרֵי. אַכַּתִּי, בַּחֲמִשָּׁה יַרְחֵי מִי קָא יָלְדָה? אֶלָּא דְּקָאִי בֶּחָג, וְקָאָמַר לֵיהּ: בְּנִיסָן. וְאַכַּתִּי, בְּשִׁיתָּא יַרְחֵי מִי קָא יָלְדָה? תָּנָא: אוֹתָהּ שָׁנָה, מְעֻבֶּרֶת הָיְתָה. סוֹף סוֹף, כִּי מַדְלִי מַר יְמֵי טֻמְאָה, בָּצְרֵי לְהוּ! אָמַר מַר זוּטְרָא: אֲפִלּוּ לְמַאן דְּאָמַר: 'יוֹלֶדֶת לְתִשְׁעָה', אֵינָהּ יוֹלֶדֶת לִמְקֻטָּעִין, (כל) 'יוֹלֶדֶת לְשִׁבְעָה', יוֹלֶדֶת לִמְקֻטָּעִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שמואל א א) "וַיְהִי לִתְקֻפוֹת הַיָמִים" וְגוֹ'. מִעוּט 'תְּקוּפוֹת', שְׁתַּיִם. וּמִעוּט 'יָמִים', שְׁנַיִם. בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה נִפְקְדָה שָׂרָה, רָחֵל וְחַנָּה, מְנָא לָן? אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: אַתְיָא 'זְכִירָה' 'זְכִירָה'. וְאַתְיָא 'פְּקִידָה' 'פְּקִידָה'. (אתיא 'זכירה' 'זכירה') כְּתִיב בָּהּ בְּרָחֵל: (בראשית ל) "וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹהִים אֶת רָחֵל". וּכְתִיב בָּהּ בְּחַנָּה: (שמואל־א א) "וַיִּזְכְּרֶהָ ה'". וְאַתְיָא 'זְכִירָה' 'זְכִירָה' מֵרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה, דִּכְתִיב: (ויקרא כג) "זִכְרוֹן תְּרוּעָה מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ". וְאַתְיָא 'פְּקִידָה' 'פְּקִידָה'. כְּתִיב בָּהּ בְּשָׂרָה: (בראשית כא) "וַה' פָּקַד אֶת שָׂרָה כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמַר". וּכְתִיב בָּהּ בְּחַנָּה: "כִּי פָקַד ה' אֶת חַנָּה". בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה יָצָא יוֹסֵף מִבֵּית הָאֲסוּרִים, מְנָא לָן? דִּכְתִיב: (תהלים פא) "תִּקְעוּ בַחֹדֶשׁ שׁוֹפָר, בַּכֶּסֶה לְיוֹם חַגֵנוּ (וכתיב) (שם) כִּי חֹק לְיִשְׂרָאֵל הוּא מִשְׁפָּט לֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב". (וכתיב) (שם) "עֵדוּת בִּיהוֹסֵף שָׂמוֹ בְצֵאתוֹ עַל אֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם, שְׂפַת לֹא יָדַעְתִּי אֶשְׁמָע". בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה בָּטְלָה עֲבוֹדָה מֵאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בְּמִצְרַיִם (מנא לן? אתיא 'סבילה' 'סבילה') כְּתִיב הָכָא: (שמות ו) "מִתַּחַת סִבְלוֹת מִצְרַיִם". וּכְתִיב הָתָם: (תהלים פא) "הֲסִירוֹתִי מִסֵּבֶל שִׁכְמוֹ" וְגוֹ'. בְּנִיסָן נִגְאֲלוּ, כִּדְאִיתָא. וּבְתִשְׁרֵי עֲתִידִין לִגָּאֵל, (מנא לן?) אַתְיָא 'שׁוֹפָר' 'שׁוֹפָר', כְּתִיב הָכָא: "תִּקְעוּ בַחֹדֶשׁ שׁוֹפָר". וּכְתִיב הָתָם: (ישעיה כז) "וְהָיָה בַיּוֹם הַהוּא יִתָּקַע בְּשׁוֹפָר גָּדוֹל". רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אוֹמֵר: בְּנִיסָן נִגְאֲלוּ וּבְנִיסָן עֲתִידִין לִגָּאֵל, מְנָא לָן? דִּכְתִיב: (שמות יב) "לֵיל שִׁמֻּרִים הוּא לַה'". לַיְלָה הַמְשֻׁמָּר וּבָא מִשֵּׁשֶׁת יְמֵי בְּרֵאשִׁית. ("שמורים לכל בני ישראל לדורותם". לילה משֻׁמָּר לעתיד לבא) וְאִידָךְ? הַהוּא, לַיְלָה הַמְשֻׁמָּר וּבָא מִן הַמַּזִּיקִין. וְאָזְדוּ לְטַעֲמַיְהוּ, דְּתַנְיָא: (בראשית ז) "בִּשְׁנַת שֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת שָׁנָה לְחַיֵּי נֹחַ, בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַשֵּׁנִי בְּשִׁבְעָה־עָשָׂר יוֹם לַחֹדֶשׁ". רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אוֹמֵר: אוֹתוֹ הַיּוֹם, שִׁבְעָה־עָשָׂר בְּאִיָּר הָיָה, יוֹם שֶׁמַּזַּל כִּימָה שׁוֹקֵעַ בַּיּוֹם וּמַעְיָנוֹת מִתְמַעֲטִין, וּמִתּוֹךְ שֶׁשִּׁנּוּ מַעֲשֵׁיהֶן, שִׁנָּה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עֲלֵיהֶם מַעֲשֵׁה בְּרֵאשִׁית, וְהֶעֱלָה מַזַּל כִּימָה בַּיּוֹם, וְנָטַל שְׁנֵי כּוֹכָבִים מִכִּימָה וְהֵבִיא מַבּוּל לָעוֹלָם. רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר: אוֹתוֹ הַיּוֹם שִׁבְעָה־עָשָׂר בְּמַרְחֶשְׁוָן הָיָה, יוֹם שֶׁמַּזַּל כִּימָה עוֹלֶה בַּיּוֹם, וּמַעְיָנוֹת מִתְגַּבְּרִים. וּמִתּוֹךְ שֶׁשִּׁנּוּ מַעֲשֵׁיהֶן, שִׁנָּה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עֲלֵיהֶן מַעֲשֵׁה בְּרֵאשִׁית, וְהֶעֱלָה מַזַּל כִּימָה בַּיּוֹם וְנָטַל שְׁנֵי כּוֹכָבִים, וְהֵבִיא מַבּוּל לָעוֹלָם. (4) R. Joshua, however, says: "Whence do we know that the Patriarchs were born in the month of Nissan? It is said (I Kings 6, 1) In the fourth year, in the month Ziv (glory), which is the second month, etc.; i.e., in that month in which the glorious ones of the earth (the patriarchs) were born. But, how is the passage of Ethanim to be explained? This means that they (the Israelites) were strongly protected by meritorious deeds. But how will the one who holds that the patriarchs were born in Tishri explain the reference to the month of Ziv? He will explain it literally: In the month when the trees are blooming, as R. Juda said: "Whoever takes a walk in the month of Nissan and observes the trees sprouting forth, he should say: 'Blessed art thou who hast made thy world lacking in naught, but hast produced therein goodly creatures and goodly trees wherewith to give delight unto the children of men.'" According to the one who holds that the patriarchs were born in Nissan, they also died in Nissan; and, according to the one who holds that they were born in Tishri, they also died in Tishri; for it is said (Deut. 31, 2) Moses said, I am one hundred and twenty years old to-day. He need not say to-day [if it has no special significance]. We, therefore, infer that to-day implies that just that very day have his days and years been completed. This is to teach that the Holy One, praised be He! grants the righteous the fulfillment of the years of their life to the very month and day; as it is said (Ex. 23, 26) The number of thy days will I make full. (5) Isaac was born on Passover. Whence do we infer this? It is written (Gen. 18, 14) At the next festival I will return to thee, and Sarah will have a son. What festival was it when he said this? Shall I assume that it was Passover, that he referred to Pentecost? Is it possible to bear children after fifty days' gestation? If I assume that it was Pentecost, that he referred to Tishri, then again the question is, Who bears children after five months' gestation? Shall I assume that it was Tabernacles, and that he referred to Passover, the same objection may be made: Is it possible to bear children after: six months of gestation? We have been taught in a Baraitha [in answer to the last objection]; that particular year was a leap year [and, therefore, it makes seven months]. But at all events the objection remains, for we must deduct the days of menstruation; hence less than seven months will remain. Mar Zutra [in answer to this] said that although a child born after nine months' gestation is never born before the ninth month is completed, nevertheless a seven months' child can he born before the seventh month is complete; as it is said (I Sam. 1, 20) And it came to pass, Li't'kufoth Hayamim (when the time was come about); the minimum of T'kufoth are two and the minimum of yamim is also two (i.e., after six months and two days' gestation, child-birth is possible). (6) Whence do we know that Sarah, Rachel and Hannah were visited on New Year's Day? R. Elazar said: We infer by comparing the expression, Zechiro, Zechiro (remember) and Pekidah Pekidah (visit) that appear in both places. Concerning the expression Zechira Zechira (remember), it is written of Rachel (Gen. 30, 32) And God remembered (Voyizkor) Rachel; and of Hannah, it is written (I Sam. 1, 19) And God remembered her (Voyizkor); this institutes an analogy between the word remember (Zechira) used in these passages and Zechiro, used in connection with New Year's Day, which is written (Lev. 23, 24) A remembrance (Zichrow) of blowing of cornets. Again, we make an inference from the analogy of Pekido Pekido (visit); it is written concerning Sarah (Gen. 21, 1) And the Lord visited (Pakad) Sarah as He said. Again, it is written concerning Hannah (I Sam. 2, 21) And truly the Lord visited (Pokad) Hannah. By the rule of analogy, all these events took place on the same [New Year's] day. Whence do we know that Joseph was released from prison on New Year's Day? It is written (Ps. 81, 4-5) Blow on the new moon the cornet at the appointed time on the day of our feast; for this is a statute for Israel. And again (Ib.) As a testimony in Joseph did he ordain it, when he went out over the land of Egypt. (Ib. b) On New Year's Day the bondage of our fathers in Egypt ceased. Whence do we know this? We infer it by rule of analogy of the word Sebila mentioned in two places. It is written (Ex. 6, 6) I will bring you out from under the burdens (Sibloth) of the Egyptians; and it is written (Ps. 81, 6) I removed his shoulder from the burden (Seibel); i.e., from the burden of Egypt on the day spoken of in the Psalm. In Nissan they were redeemed, as previously proven. In Tisari we shall again be redeemed. This he deduces by analogy from the word Shofor (cornet), found in the following passages. It is written (Ib.) Blow the cornet on the new moon (i.e., on New Year's Day); and it is written there (Isa. 27, 13) And on that day the great cornet (B'shofor), shall be blown [just as in the former case it means New Year's Day, so does it also in the latter]. R. Joshua says: "In Nissan they [our ancestors] were redeemed, and in Nissan we shall be redeemed in the future." Whence do we infer this? From the following passage (Ex. 12, 42), … this same night is a night of watching unto the Lord; i.e., a night specially designated from the first days of creation for the final redemption of Israel. (Ib.) … For all the children of Israel throughout their generations; i.e., a night looked forward to for the future redemption.
ד מִשְׁנָה. בְּאַרְבָּעָה פְּרָקִים הָעוֹלָם נִדּוֹן, בְּפֶסַח עַל הַתְּבוּאָה, בַּעֲצֶרֶת עַל פֵּרוֹת הָאִילָן, בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה כָּל בָּאֵי עוֹלָם עוֹבְרִין לְפָנָיו כִּבְנֵי מָרוֹן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (תהלים לג) "הַיֹּצֵר יַחַד לִבָּם הַמֵּבִין אֶל כָּל מַעֲשֵׂיהֶם". וּבֶחָג, נִדּוֹנִין עַל הַמַּיִם. גְּמָרָא. הָא תְּבוּאָה? (דְּאֵימַת?) אִילֵימָא הַךְ תְּבוּאָה דְּקַיְּמָא, כָּל הַנֵי הַרְפַּתְקֵי דְּעָדוּ עֲלָהּ, (וַעֲדַיִין קַיְמָא) אֵימַת אִיתְּדוֹן? אֶלָּא תְּבוּאָה דְּמִזְרְעָה! לְמֵימְרָא: דְּחַד דִּינָא מִיתְּדְנָא? וְהָתַנְיָא: תְּבוּאָה שֶׁאֵרַע בָּהּ קְרִי אוֹ אֹנֶס קֹדֶם הַפֶּסַח נִדּוֹנֶת לְשֶׁעָבַר, אַחַר הַפֶּסַח נִדּוֹנֶת לְהַבָּא. וְאָדָם שֶׁאֵרַע בּוֹ קְרִי אוֹ אֹנֶס קֹדֶם יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים נִדּוֹן לְשֶׁעָבַר. אַחַר יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים נִדּוֹן לְהַבָּא. אָמַר רָבָא: שְׁמַע מִינָהּ, תְּרֵי דִּינֵי מִתְּדְנָא (שַׁתָּא). אָמַר אַבַּיֵי: הִלְכָּךְ, כִּי חָזִי אִינַשׁ דְּמַצְלַח זַרְעָא אַפְלָא, לִיקְדִים וְלִיזְרַע חָרְפָא, דְּעַד דְּמַטֵי לְמִדַּיְנֵיהּ, קָדִים וְסָלִיק. (7) (Fol. 16) MISHNAH: At four periods in each year the world is judged; on Passover, in respect to the growth of grain; on Pentecost, in respect to the fruit of trees; on the New Year's Day all human beings pass before Him (the Lord) as sheep before a shepherd; as it is said (Ps. 30, 9) He who hath fashioned all their hearts understandeth all their works; on Tabernacles judgment is rendered in regard to water (rain). GEMARA: Which stage of the growing grain [does the Divine judgment affect on the Passover]? Does it affect the standing crops which are about to be reaped? What judgment could effect them, since they are in existence despite all the preordained accidents that the standing crops had to undergo [before Passover]? The Mishnah does not refer to standing crops ready to be reaped, but to such that were just sown. Shall we then say that only one judgment is passed upon grain [for the period from sowing until reaping]? Have we not been taught in a Baraitha: If an incident or injury befall grain before the Passover, it was the result of a decree pronounced on the Passover prior to the sowing season; but if such an incident happened after the Passover, then it was the result of a decree that had been passed on the Passover immediately [preceding the sowing season]; if an accident of misfortune befall a man before the Day of Atonement, it was the result of a decree passed on the Day of Atonement prior to the accident; but if such an accident happened after the Day of Atonement, then it was the cause of a decree passed on the Day of Atonement immediately preceding the accident. Hence there are several decrees passed upon. Said Raba: "Infer from this that judgment is passed twice yearly, at sowing and before reaping." "Therefore," said Abaye, "when a man sees that the grain which ripens slowly is thriving, he should, as soon as possible, sow such grain as ripens quickly so that by the time of the next judgment the grain will already have begun to grow [thus avoiding one judgment]."
ה מַנִּי מַתְנִיתִין? לֹא רַבִּי מֵאִיר וְלֹא רַבִּי יְהוּדָה וְלֹא רַבִּי יוֹסֵי וְלֹא רַבִּי נָתָן, דְּתַנְיָא: הַכֹּל נִדּוֹנִין בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה וּגְזַר־דִּין שֶׁלָּהֶם נֶחְתָּם בְּיוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר: הַכֹּל נִדּוֹנִין בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה וּגְזַר־דִּין שֶׁלָּהֶם נֶחְתָּם כָּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד בִּזְמַנּוֹ, בְּפֶסַח עַל הַתְּבוּאָה, בַּעֲצֶרֶת עַל פֵּרוֹת הָאִילָן, בֶּחָג עַל הַמַּיִם, וְאָדָם נִדּוֹן בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה, וּגְזַר־דִּין שֶׁלּוֹ נֶחְתָּם בְּיוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים. רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר: אָדָם נִדּוֹן בְּכָל יוֹם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (איוב ז׳:י״ח) "וַתִּפְקְדֶנוּ לִבְקָרִים". רַבִּי נָתָן אוֹמֵר: אָדָם נִדּוֹן בְּכָל שָׁעָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שם) "לִרְגָעִים תִּבְחָנֶנּוּ". וְכִי תֵּימָא: לְעוֹלָם רַבִּי יְהוּדָה הִיא, וְכִי קְתָּנִי מַתְנִיתִין, אַגְזַר־דִּין. אִי הָכִי, קַשְׁיָא 'אָדָם'! אָמַר רָבָא: (הכא) הַאי תַּנָּא (תנא) דְּבֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל הוּא, דְּתָנָא דְּבֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל: בְּאַרְבָּעָה פְּרָקִים הָעוֹלָם נִדּוֹן; בְּפֶסַח עַל הַתְּבוּאָה, בַּעֲצֶרֶת עַל פֵּרוֹת הָאִילָן, וּבֶחָג עַל הַמַּיִם, וְאָדָם נִדּוֹן בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה, וּגְזַר־דִּין שֶׁלּוֹ נֶחְתָּם בְּיוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים. וְכִי קְתָּנִי מַתְנִיתִין, אַתְּחִלַּת דִּין. אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: מַאי טַעְמָא דְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי? מַאי טַעְמָא דְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי? כִּדְקָאָמַר טַעְמָא! "וַתִּפְקְדֶנּוּ לִבְקָרִים"! אֲנַן, הָכִי קָאַמְרִינָן: כְּרַבִּי נָתָן מַאי טַעְמָא לֹא קָאָמַר? 'בְּחִינָה', עִיוּנִי בְּעָלְמָא הִיא. 'פְּקִידָה' נַמִּי, עִיוּנִי בְּעָלְמָא הִיא! אֶלָּא אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: טַעְמָא דְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי מֵהָכָא: (מלכים־א ח) "לַעֲשׂוֹת מִשְׁפַּט עַבְדּוֹ, וּמִשְׁפַּט עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל דְּבַר יוֹם בְּיוֹמוֹ". וְאָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: מֶלֶךְ וְצִבּוּר, מֶלֶךְ נִכְנָס תְּחִלָּה לַדִּין, דִּכְתִיב: "לַעֲשׂוֹת מִשְׁפַּט עַבְדּוֹ". וַהֲדַר "מִשְׁפַּט עַמּוֹ". מַאי טַעְמָא? אִיבָּעִית אֵימָא: דְּלָאו אוֹרַח אַרְעָא לְמֵיתַב מַלְכָּא מֵאִבְּרָאִי. וְאִי בָּעִית אֵימָא: מִקַּמֵּי דְּלֵיפּוּשׁ חֲרוֹן־אַף. אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: כְּמַאן מַצְלִינָן הָאִידְנָא אַקְצִירֵי וְאַמְרִיעֵי? כְּמַאן? כְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי! וְאִי בָּעִית אֵימָא: לְעוֹלָם כְּרַבָּנָן, וּכִדְרַבִּי יִצְחָק, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: יָפָה צְעָקָה לְאָדָם בֵּין קֹדֶם גְּזַר־דִּין בֵּין לְאַחַר גְּזַר־דִּין. (8) With whose opinion does our Mishnah agree? Neither with that of R. Maier, nor with that of R. Juda, nor with that of R. Jose, nor with that of R. Nathan; for we are taught in a Baraitha that R. Maier says: "All are called to account on the New Year's Day, and on the Day of Atonement their sentence is fixed." R. Joshua says: "All are called to account on the New Year's Day, but each sentence is passed upon at its special time: on Passover in respect to grain; at Pentecost in respect to the fruit of the trees; at Tabernacles in respect to rain; and man is called to account on the New Year's Day, and his sentence is passed upon on the Day of Atonement." R. Jose says: "Judgment is every day passed upon men, as it is said (Job 7, 1) Thou rememberest him every morning." R. Nathan holds that men are judged at all times, as it is said (Ib.) Thou triest him every moment. [Hence our Mishnah agrees with no authority]. And if you should say that the Mishnah indeed agrees with the opinion of R. Juda, and our Mishnah refers to the passing of judgment, even so there would still remain difficulty about [the judgment of] men [for R. Juda says it is on the Day of Atonement, while our Mishnah says on New Year's Day]. Said Raba: "The Tana of our Mishnah is in accord with the academy of R. Ishmael; for it was taught in the academy of R. Ishmael: At four periods is the world judged: on Passover, in regard to grain; on Pentecost, in regard to the fruit of trees; on Tabernacles, in regard to rain; but man is judged on New Year's Day and the final sentence is passed upon him on the Day of Atonement. But our Mishnah speaks only about the opening of the trial. Said R. Chisda: "What is the reason of R. Jose's opinion?" Did not R. Jose give as reason the passage (Job 7, 18) Thou rememberest him every moment? We must therefore say that R. Chisda asked as follows: "Why does not R. Jose, in support of his opinion, quote the same passage as R. Nathan? Because trying is not judging, but merely investigating." If so, then remembering is also not judging, but merely investigating the case]. Therefore, said R. Chisda, the opinion of R. Jose is based on the following passage (I Kings 8, 59) That God may maintain the cause of His servant and the cause of His people Israel every day. Another thing said R. Chisda: "When a king and the people appear before justice, the king should be considered first; as it is written (Ib.) To maintain the cause of his servant (David, the king); and after this it says, and the cause of His people." Why so? If you wish, you may say because it would not be good ethics to have the king sit outside of the court during the trial of the people; and if you wish you may say, it [the king] should be tried before the court gets excited with anger. Said R. Joseph: "According to whom do we nowadays pray for the sick and for the faint [scholars]? It is according to the opinion of R. Jose [who maintains that man is judged every day]. And if you wish you can say it agrees even with the opinion of the Rabbis, as, for example, with that of R. Isaac who said that it is well that man should cry for help before as well as after, the divine decree."
ו תַּנְיָא: רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא: מִפְּנֵי מָה אָמְרָה תּוֹרָה: הָבִיאוּ עֹמֶר בְּפֶסַח? מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהַפֶּסַח, זְמַן תְּבוּאָה הוּא. אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: הַקְרִיבוּ לְפָנַי עֹמֶר בְּפֶסַח, כְּדֵי שֶׁתִּתְבָּרֵךְ לָכֶם תְּבוּאָה שֶׁבַּשָּׂדוֹת. וּמִפְּנֵי מָה אָמְרָה תּוֹרָה: הָבִיאוּ שְׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם בַּעֲצֶרֶת? מִפְּנֵי שֶׁעֲצֶרֶת זְמַן פֵּרוֹת אִילָן הוּא. אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: הַקְרִיבוּ לְפָנַי שְׁתֵּי הַלֶּחֶם בַּעֲצֶרֶת, כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּתְבָּרְכוּ לָכֶם פֵּרוֹת שֶׁבָּאִילָן. וּמִפְּנֵי מָה אָמְרָה תּוֹרָה: נַסְּכוּ (לפני) מַיִם בֶּחָג? (מפני שהחג זמן גשמי שנה) אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: נַסְּכוּ לְפָנַי מַיִם בֶּחָג, כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּתְבָּרְכוּ לָכֶם גִּשְׁמֵי שָׁנָה. וְאָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: אִמְרוּ לְפָנַי: מַלְכֻיּוֹת, זִכְרוֹנוֹת וְשׁוֹפָרוֹת בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה. 'מַלְכֻיּוֹת', כְּדֵי שֶׁתַּמְלִיכוּנִי עֲלֵיכֶם. 'זִכְרוֹנוֹת', כְּדֵי שֶׁתָּבוֹא זִכְרוֹנֵיכֶם לְפָנַי לְטוֹבָה, וּבַמֶּה? 'בְּשׁוֹפָר'. [אָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּהוּ: לָמָּה תּוֹקְעִין בְּשׁוֹפָר שֶׁל אַיִל? אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: תִּקְעוּ לְפָנַי בְּשׁוֹפָר שֶׁל אַיִל, כְּדֵי שֶׁאֶזְכֹּר לָכֶם עֲקֵדַת יִצְחָק בֶּן אַבְרָהָם, וּמַעֲלֶה אֲנִי עֲלֵיכֶם כְּאִלּוּ עֲקַדְתֶּם עַצְמְכֶם לְפָנַי. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: לָמָּה תּוֹקְעִין בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה? לָמָּה תּוֹקְעִין? רַחֲמָנָא אָמַר תִּקְעוּ! אֶלָּא לָמָּה מְרִיעִין? 'מְרִיעִין'? רַחֲמָנָא אָמַר: "זִכְרוֹן תְּרוּעָה"! אֶלָּא לָמָּה תּוֹקְעִין וּמְרִיעִין כְּשֶׁהֵן יוֹשְׁבִין, וְתוֹקְעִין וּמְרִיעִין כְּשֶׁהֵן עוֹמְדִין? כְּדֵי לְעַרְבֵּב הַשָּׂטָן. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: כָּל שָׁנָה שֶׁאֵין תּוֹקְעִין לָהּ בִּתְחִלָּתָהּ, מְרִיעִין לָהּ בְּסוֹפָהּ, מַאי טַעְמָא? דְּלֹא אִיעַרְבֵּב שָׂטָן]. (9) We are taught in a Baraitha: R. Juda taught in the name of R. Akiba: "Why does the Torah command (Lev. 23, 10) a sheaf of the first fruits to be brought on the Passover? Because Passover is the season when judgment is passed with respect to grain, and the Holy One, praised be He! said: 'Offer before Me the first sheaf of grain on Passover, so that the grain on the fields may be blessed, unto you.' And why are the two loaves offered on the Pentecost? Because Pentecost is the season when judgment is passed with respect to the fruit of trees, and the Holy One, praised be He! said: 'Bring before Me two loaves on the Pentecost, so that I may bless the fruits of the tree.' Why was the ceremony of the offer of Libation performed on the Feast of Tabernacles? Thus said the Holy One, praised be He! 'Perform before Me the ceremony of Libation that the rains shall fall in due season.' The Holy One, praised be He! said further: 'Recite before Me [on New Year's Day] Malchioth, in which divine homage is alluded to; Zichronoth, [verses in which divine remembrance is alluded to]; and Shofroth [verses treating of the Shofar]: Malchioth, that you proclaim Me king; Zichronoth, that your remembrance for good may come before Me. And how [shall this be done]? By the sounding of the cornet.' " R. Abahu said: "Why is the cornet made of a ram's horn? The Holy One, praised be He! said: Sound before Me a cornet made of a ram's horn, that I may remember, for your sake, the offering of Isaac, the son of Abraham."
ז אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: כָּל שָׁנָה שֶׁרָשָׁה בִּתְחִלָּתָהּ, מִתְעַשֶּׁרֶת בְּסוֹפָהּ, מַאי טַעְמָא? דִּכְתִיב: (דברים י״א:י״ב) "מֵרֵשִׁית הַשָּׁנָה וְעַד אַחֲרִית שָׁנָה". 'מֵרֵשִׁית' כְּתִיב. "וְעַד אַחֲרִית שָׁנָה", (מכלל) [סוֹפָהּ], דְּאִית לָהּ אַחֲרִית. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: אֵין דָּנִין אֶת הָאָדָם אֶלָּא לְפִי מַעֲשָׂיו שֶׁל אוֹתָה שָׁעָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (בראשית כ״א:י״ז) "כִּי שָׁמַע אֱלֹהִים אֶל קוֹל הַנַּעַר בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא שָׁם". וְאָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: שְׁלֹשָׁה דְּבָרִים מַזְכִּירִין עֲוֹנוֹתָיו שֶׁל אָדָם, אֵלּוּ הֵן: קִיר נָטוּי, וְעִיּוּן תְּפִלָּה, וּמוֹסֵר דִּין עַל חֲבֵרוֹ. דְּאָמַר רַבִּי חָנָן: כָּל הַמּוֹסֵר דִּין עַל חֲבֵרוֹ, הוּא נֶעֱנָשׁ תְּחִלָּה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שם טז) "וַתֹּאמֶר שָׂרַי אֶל אַבְרָם: חֲמָסִי עָלֶיךָ" וְגוֹ'. וּכְתִיב: (שם כג) "וַיָּבֹא אַבְרָהָם לִסְפּוֹד לְשָׂרָה" וְגוֹ'. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: אַרְבָּעָה דְּבָרִים מְקָרְעִין גְּזַר־דִּינוֹ שֶׁל אָדָם, אֵלּוּ הֵן: 'צְדָקָה', 'צְעָקָה', 'שִׁנּוּי הַשֵּׁם' וְ'שִׁנּוּי מַעֲשֶׂה'. 'צְדָקָה' דִּכְתִיב: (משלי י׳:ב׳) "וּצְדָקָה תַּצִּיל מִמָּוֶת". 'צְעָקָה' דִּכְתִיב: (תהילים ק״ז:ו׳) "וַיִּצְעֲקוּ אֶל ה' בַּצַּר לָהֶם" וְגוֹ'. וְ'שִׁנּוּי הַשֵּׁם' דִּכְתִיב: (בראשית י״ז:ט״ו) "וַיֹּאמֶר ה' אֶל אַבְרָם שָׂרַי אִשְׁתְּךָ, לֹא תִקְרָא אֶת שְׁמָהּ 'שָׂרָי' כִּי 'שָׂרָה' שְׁמָהּ". וְלִבְסוֹף: "וּבֵרַכְתִּי אוֹתָהּ, וְגַם נָתַתִּי מִמֶּנָּה" וְגוֹ'. 'שִׁנּוּי מַעֲשֶׂה' דִּכְתִיב: (יונה ג׳:י׳) "וַיַּרְא הָאֱלֹהִים אֶת מַעֲשֵׂיהֶם, כִּי שָׁבוּ מִדַּרְכָּם הָרָעָה". [וּכְתִיב: "וַיִּנָחֶם הָאֱלֹהִים עַל הָרָעָה אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר לַעֲשׂוֹת לָהֶם וְלֹא עָשָׂה"]. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים: אַף 'שִׁנּוּי מָקוֹם' שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (בראשית י״ב:א׳) "וַיֹּאמֶר ה' אֶל אַבְרָם לֶךְ לְךָ" וְגוֹ'. וַהֲדַר, "וְאֶעֶשְׁךָ לְגוֹי גָּדוֹל". וְאִידָךְ? הַהוּא, זְכוּתָא דְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל הוּא דְּאַהַנְיָא לֵיהּ. וְאָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: חַיָּב אָדָם לְהַקְבִּיל פְּנֵי רַבּוֹ בָּרֶגֶל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (מלכים־ב ד) "וַיֹּאמֶר: מַדּוּעַ אַתְּ הֹלֶכֶת אֵלָיו הַיּוֹם? לֹא חֹדֶשׁ וְלֹא שַׁבָּת". מִכְּלַל, דִּבְחֹדֶשׁ וְשַׁבָּת אִיבָּעִי לָהּ לְמֵיזַל! (10) R. Isaac said: "A year which is poor (Israel appears humble) in the beginning, will be rich in the end (Israel's request will be granted). What is the reason for it? For it is written (Deut. 11, 12) From the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year; i.e., there are two parts in a year, the beginning and the end." (Ib. b) K. Isaac said again: "A man is judged only according to his deeds at the time of sentence; as it is said (Gen. 21, 17) God heard the voice of the lad, as he then was." Another thing R. Isaac said: "Three things cause a man's record of sins to be recalled. Three occasions cause the sins of man to be brought to mind: a threatening wall, calculating during prayer, and one who appeals to the Lord for judgment on his neighbor; for R. Chanin said: 'Whoever appeals to the Lord for judgment on his neighbor is first punished; as we find in the case of Sarah, who said (Gen. 16, 5) I suffer wrong through thee, may the Lord judge between me and thee. And shortly after this we read (Ib. 23, 2) And Abraham came to mourn Sarah and to weep for her.'" Another thing said R. Isaac: "Four things cause an evil decree which is passed on man to be torn (annulled). They are charity, prayer, change of name and change of conduct: Charity, as it is written (Prov. 10, 2) Charity delivereth from death; prayer, as it is WTitten (Ps. 97, 19) They cry unto the Lord when they are in distress, and He saveth them out of their afflictions; change of name, as it is written (Gen. 17, 15) As for Sarai, thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be: and the text continues saying: Then will I bless her, and give thee a son also, because of her change of conduct; as it is written (Jonah 3, 10) And God saw their works that they had turned from their evil ways; and immediately following: And God bethought Himself of the evil He had said He would do unto them, and He did it not." Some add also the change of location; as it is said (Gen. 12, 1-2) And God said to Abraham, get thee out from thy land [and afterwards] I will make of thee a great nation. But the former authority claims that the latter one was on account of the merits of the land of Israel.
וְאָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: חַיָּב אָדָם לְטַהֵר אֶת עַצְמוֹ בָּרֶגֶל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (ויקרא י״א:ח׳) "וּבְנִבְלָתָם לֹא תִגָּעוּ", תַּנְיָא נַמִּי הָכִי: "וּבְנִבְלָתָם לֹא תִגָּעוּ", יָכוֹל יְהוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל מֻזְהָרִים עַל מַגַּע נְבֵלָה? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: (שם כא) "אֱמֹר אֶל הַכֹּהֲנִים בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן", בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן מֻזְהָרִין, בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֵין מֻזְהָרִין. וַהֲלֹא דְּבָרִים קַל־וָחֹמֶר, וּמַה טֻּמְאָה חֲמוּרָה, כֹּהֲנִים מֻזְהָרִין, יִשְׂרָאֵל אֵין מֻזְהָרִין, טֻמְאָה קַלָּה לֹא כָּל־שֶׁכֵּן! אֶלָּא מַה תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: "וּבְנִבְלָתָם לֹא תִגָּעוּ"? בָּרֶגֶל!
ח אָמַר רַבִּי כְּרוּסְפְּדָאי, אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: שְׁלֹשָׁה סְפָרִים נִפְתָּחִים בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה, אֶחָד שֶׁל צַדִּיקִים גְּמוּרִים, וְאֶחָד שֶׁל רְשָׁעִים גְּמוּרִים, וְאֶחָד שֶׁל בֵּינוֹנִיִּים. שֶׁל צַדִּיקִים גְּמוּרִים, נִכְתָּבִים וְנֶחְתָּמִים לְאַלְתַּר לְחַיִּים. שֶׁל רְשָׁעִים גְּמוּרִים, נִכְתָּבִים וְנֶחְתָּמִים לְאַלְתַּר לְמִיתָה. וּבֵינוֹנִיִּים, תְּלוּיִים וְעוֹמְדִים מֵרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה עַד יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים. זָכוּ, נִכְתְּבוּ לְחַיִּים, לֹא זָכוּ, נִכְתָּבִים לְמִיתָה. אָמַר רַבִּי (אַבָּהוּ) [אַבִּין]: מַאי קְרָאָה? (תהילים ס״ט:כ״ט) "יִמָּחוּ מִסֵּפֶר חַיִּים, וְעִם צַדִּיקִים אַל יִכָּתֵבוּ". 'יִמָּחוּ מִסֵּפֶר', זֶה סִפְרָן שֶׁל רְשָׁעִים גְּמוּרִים. 'חַיִּים', זֶה סִפְרָן שֶׁל צַדִּיקִים גְּמוּרִים. 'וְעִם צַדִּיקִים אַל יִכָּתֵבוּ', זֶה סִפְרָן שֶׁל בֵּינוֹנִיִּים. רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק אָמַר, מֵהָכָא: (שמות ל״ב:ל״ב) "וְאִם אַיִן, מְחֵנִי נָא מִסִּפְרְךָ אֲשֶׁר כָּתָבְתָּ". 'מְחֵנִי נָא', זֶה סִפְרָן שֶׁל רְשָׁעִים גְּמוּרִים. 'מִסִּפְרְךָ', זֶה סִפְרָן שֶׁל צַדִּיקִים גְּמוּרִים. 'אֲשֶׁר כָּתָבְתָּ', זֶה סִפְרָן שֶׁל בֵּינוֹנִיִּים. (11) R. Kruspedai said in the name of R. Jochanan: "Three books are opened on New Year's Day: one for the grossly wicked, one for the perfectly righteous, and one for the intermediate class of people. The verdict of the perfectly righteous is promptly written and sealed for life; the verdict of the grossly wicked is promptly written and sealed for death; the verdict of the intermediate class is suspended from the New Year's Day till the Day of Atonement; if they prove themselves worthy, they are inscribed for life, if not they are inscribed for death." Said R. Abahu: "Whence do we infer this? From the passage (Ps. 69, 29) Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and they shall not be written down with the righteous. Let them be blotted out, refers to the books of the grossly wicked; out of the book of the living, refers to the perfectly righteous; and they shall not be written down with the righteous, refers to the intermediate class."
ט תַּנְיָא, בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: שָׁלֹשׁ כִּתּוֹת הֵן לְיוֹם הַדִּין, אֶחָד שֶׁל צַדִּיקִים גְּמוּרִים, וְאֶחָד שֶׁל בֵּינוֹנִיִּים, וְאֶחָד שֶׁל רְשָׁעִים גְּמוּרִים. (של) צַדִּיקִים גְּמוּרִים נִכְתָּבִין וְנֶחְתָּמִין לְאַלְתַּר לְחַיֵּי הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. (של) רְשָׁעִים גְּמוּרִים נִכְתָּבִין וְנֶחְתָּמִין לְאַלְתַּר לְגֵיהִנָּם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (דניאל י״ב:ב׳) "וְרַבִּים מִיְּשֵׁנֵי אַדְמַת עָפָר יָקִיצוּ, אֵלֶּה לְחַיֵּי עוֹלָם, וְאֵלֶּה לַחֲרָפוֹת לְדִרְאוֹן עוֹלָם". בֵּינוֹנִיִּים יוֹרְדִין לְגֵיהִנָּם וּמְצַפְצְפִין וְעוֹלִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (זכריה י״ג:ט׳) "וְהֵבֵאתִי אֶת הַשְּׁלִשִׁית בָּאֵשׁ וְגוֹ' הוּא יִקְרָא בִשְׁמִי וַאֲנִי אֶעֱנֶה אֹתוֹ". וַעֲלֵיהֶם אָמְרָה חַנָּה: (שמואל־א ב) "ה' מֵמִית וּמְחַיֶּה" וְגוֹ'. וּבֵית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: "וְרַב־חֶסֶד", מַטֶּה כְּלַפֵּי חֶסֶד. וַעֲלֵיהֶם אָמַר דָּוִד: (תהילים קט״ז:א׳) "אָהַבְתִּי כִּי יִשְׁמַע ה' אֶת קוֹלִי". וַעֲלֵיהֶם נֶאֶמְרָה כָּל הַפָּרָשָׁה כֻּלָּהּ: (תהילים קט״ז:א׳) "דַּלֹּתִי וְלִי יְהוֹשִׁיעַ". פּוֹשְׁעֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּגוּפָן וּפוֹשְׁעֵי גּוֹיִים בְּגוּפָן, יוֹרְדִין לְגֵיהִנָּם (ונידונין בגיהנם) וְנִדּוֹנִין בָּהּ שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂר חֹדֶשׁ, לְאַחַר שְׁנֵים־ עָשָׂר חֹדֶשׁ, גּוּפָן כָּלֶה וְנִשְׁמָתָן נִשְׂרֶפֶת, וְרוּחַ מְפַזְּרָתָן, וְנַעֲשִׂים אֵפֶר תַּחַת כַּפּוֹת רַגְלֵי הַצַּדִּיקִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (מלאכי ג׳:כ״א) "וְעַסּוֹתֶם רְשָׁעִים, כִּי יִהְיוּ אֵפֶר תַּחַת כַּפּוֹת רַגְלֵיכֶם". אֲבָל הַצְּדוֹקִים, וְהַמָּסוֹרוֹת לְאַנָּסִים, וְהַמּוּמָרִים לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, וְהָאַפִּיקוֹרְסִים, וְשֶׁכָּפְרוּ בַּתּוֹרָה, וְשֶׁכָּפְרוּ בִּתְחִיַּת הַמֵּתִים, וְשֶׁפֵּרְשׁוּ מִדַּרְכֵי צִבּוּר, וְשֶׁנָּתְנוּ חִתִּיתָם בְּאֶרֶץ הַחַיִּים, וְשֶׁחָטְאוּ, וְשֶׁהֶחֱטִיאוּ אֶת הָרַבִּים, כְּגוֹן: יָרָבְעָם בֶּן נְבָט וַחֲבֵרָיו, יוֹרְדִין לְגֵיהִנָּם וְנִדּוֹנִין בָּהּ לְדוֹרֵי דּוֹרוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (ישעיהו ס״ו:כ״ד) "וְיָצְאוּ וְרָאוּ בְפִגְרֵי הָאֲנָשִׁים הַפֹּשְׁעִים" וְגוֹ'. גֵּיהִנָּם כָּלֶה וְהֵם אֵינָם כָּלִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (תהילים מ״ט:ט״ו) "וְצוּרָם לְבַלּוֹת שְׁאוֹל". (מזבול לו) וְכָל כָּךְ לָמָּה? לְפִי שֶׁפָּשְׁטוּ יְדֵיהֶם בִּזְבוּל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שם): "מִזְּבֻל לוֹ", וְאֵין 'זְבֻל' אֶלָּא בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (מלכים א ח׳:י״ג) "בָּנֹה בָנִיתִי בֵית זְבֻל לָךְ" וְגוֹ'. (אמר מר: ועליהם אמרה חנה: "ה' ממית ומחיה") [וַעֲלֵיהֶם אָמְרָה חַנָּה: (שמואל־א ב) "ה' יֵחַתּוּ מְרִיבָיו"]. אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק בַּר אַבִּין: וּפְנֵיהֶם דּוֹמִין לְשׁוּלֵי קְדֵרָה. אָמַר רָבָא: וְאִינְהוּ, מִשַּׁפִּירֵי בְּנֵי מְחוֹזָא, וּמִקַּרְיָן: 'בְּנֵי־גֵּיהִנֹּם'. אָמַר מַר: בֵּית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: 'וְרַב־ חֶסֶד', מַטֶּה כְּלַפֵּי חֶסֶד. וְהָכְּתִיב: "וְהֵבֵאתִי אֶת הַשְּׁלִשִׁית בָּאֵשׁ"? הָתָם, עָוֹן דְּפוֹשְׁעֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּגוּפָן. וְהָאָמַרְתְּ: לֵית לְהוּ תַּקָּנָה? הָתָם, בְּרוּבָּא עֲוֹנוֹת, הָכָא, בְּמֶחֱצָה עֲוֹנוֹת וּמֶחֱצֶה זְכֻיּוֹת. (והכי קאמר: אי הוה במחצה עונות) וְאִית בֵּיהּ [נַמִּי] עָוֹן דְּ'פוֹשְׁעֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּגוּפָם' לָא סַגְיָא דְּלָאו "וְהֵבֵאתִי אֶת הַשְּׁלִשִׁית בָּאֵשׁ". וְאִם לָאו: "וְרַב־חֶסֶד", מַטֶּה כְּלַפֵּי חֶסֶד. וַעֲלֵיהֶם אָמַר דָּוִד: (תהילים קט״ז:א׳) "אָהַבְתִּי כִּי יִשְׁמַע ה'" וְגוֹ'. (12) We are taught in a Baraitha: The school of Shammai says: "Three classes of people appear on the day of Judgment: the perfectly righteous, the grossly wicked, and the intermediate class. The sentence of eternal life is promptly written and sealed for the perfectly righteous; the sentence of Gehenna is promptly written and sealed for the grossly wicked; as it is said (Dan. 12, 2) And many of them that sleep in the dust shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. The intermediate class descend to Gehenna (Fol. 17), but they weep and come up again, as it is said (Zech. 13, 9) And I will bring the third part through the fire, and I will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried; and he shall call on My name, and I will answer him. Concerning this last class of men Hannah said (I Sam. 2, 6) The Lord causeth to die and maketh alive. He bringeth down to the grave and bringeth up again." But the school of Hillel says: "And He who abounds in kindness inclines [the scale of justice] towards the side of kindness. Concerning this third class of men David said (Ps. 116, 1) It is lovely to me that the Lord heareth my voice; in fact, David applies to them the entire chapter, including Thou hast delivered my soul from death (Ib. 8)." Jews who sin with their bodies as well as non-Jews who sin with their bodies, descend to Gehenna, and their punishment is to be in Gehenna for a period of twelve months; after that time their bodies are destroyed and their souls burnt, and the winds scatter and turn their ashes under the soles of the feet of the righteous, as we read (Mal. 3223) And ye shall tread down the wicked, for they shall be as ashes under the soles of your feet; but as for heretics, informers, Epicureans (disbelievers) who deny the Torah or resurrection, or who separate themselves from the congregation, or those (rulers) who tyrannize the land of the living, or who sin and cause others to sin, as did Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, and his associates, — they all descend to Gehenna, and are judged there from generation to generation; as it is said (Is. 66, 24) And they shall go forth and look upon the carcasses of the men who have transgressed against Me; for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched. Even when Gehenna will be destroyed, they will not be consumed, as it is said (Ps. 49, 15) And their forms wasteth away in the nether world. But, why to that extent? Because they laid their hands on the Temple; as it is said: "From their own dwelling. Mi-zbul; and the word z'bul refers to the Temple, as it is said (I Kings 8, 3) I have indeed built a dwelling place (z'bitl) for Thee. It is said above: Concerning them said Hannah, The Lord causeth to die and maketh alive." R. Isaac b. Abin said: "Their faces are black like the sides of a caldron;" while Raba remarked: "Those who are now the handsomest of the people of Mechuzza will yet be called the children of Gehenna."
י דָּרַשׁ רָבָא: מַאי דִּכְתִיב: (תהילים קט״ז:א׳) "אָהַבְתִּי כִּי יִשְׁמַע ה'"? אָמְרָה כְּנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, אֵימָתַי אֲנִי אֲהוּבָה לְפָנֶיךָ? בִּזְמַן שֶׁאַתָּה שׁוֹמֵעַ בְּקוֹל תַּחֲנוּנַי. "דַּלֹּתִי וְלִי יְהוֹשִׁיעַ", אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁדַּלָּה אֲנִי בְּמִצְווֹת, לִי נָאֶה לְהוֹשִׁיעַ. 'פּוֹשְׁעֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּגוּפָן' מַאי נִינְהוּ? אָמַר רַב: קַרְקַפְתָּא דְּלָא מָנַח תְּפִלִּין. 'פּוֹשְׁעֵי עוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִים בְּגוּפָן'? אָמַר רַב: בַּעֲבֵרָה. וְ'שֶׁנָּתְנוּ חִתִּיתָם בְּאֶרֶץ הַחַיִּים' אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: זֶה פַּרְנָס, הַמַּטִּיל אֵימָה יְתֵרָה עַל הַצִּבּוּר שֶׁלֹּא לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם, דְּאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה, אָמַר רַב: כָּל פַּרְנָס, הַמַּטִּיל אֵימָה יְתֵרָה עַל הַצִּבּוּר שֶׁלֹּא לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם, אֵינוֹ רוֹאֶה בֵּן תַּלְמִיד־חָכָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (איוב ל״ז:כ״ד) "לָכֵן יְרֵאוּהוּ אֲנָשִׁים, לֹא יִרְאֶה כָּל חַכְמֵי־לֵב". (13) Raba expounded what is meant by the passage (Ps. 116, 1) It is lovely to me that the Lord heareth my voice. Thus said the congregation of Israel unto the Holy One, praised be He! "Sovereign of the Universe, when am I beloved of Thee? When Thou harkenest unto my voice of prayer. (Ib. ib., 6) I am poor, yet He helpeth me; i.e., although I am poor in meritorious deeds, yet it is fair that Thou shouldst help me." (14) Who are referred to by Jews (who are sinners) with their body? Rab said: "The Karkaphtha (the head of him) who puts no T'fillin on." And who are referred to by non-Jews who transgress with the body? Said Rab: "Those guilty of the sin [of adultery]." Who are referred to by those [rulers] who tyrannize the land of the living? R. Chisda said: "This refers to a ruler who imposes extraordinary fear upon the community not for the sake of God." R. Juda said in the name of Rab: "A leader who imposes extraordinary fear upon the community not for the sake of God, will never have a learned son; as it is said (Job 37, 24) Men do therefore fear him, he respecteth not any that are wise of heart."
יא אָמַר מַר: וּבֵית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: "וְרַב חֶסֶד", מַטֶּה כְּלַפֵּי חֶסֶד. הֵיכִי עָבִיד? רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: 'כּוֹבֵשׁ', שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (מיכה ז׳:י״ט) "יָשׁוּב יְרַחֲמֵנוּ, יִכְבֹּשׁ עֲוֹנֹתֵינוּ" וְגוֹ'. רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בְּרַבִּי חֲנִינָא אוֹמֵר: 'נוֹשֵׂא', שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שם) "נֹשֵׂא עָוֹן וְעוֹבֵר עַל פֶּשַׁע". (15) It is said above that the school of Hillel said: "He who abounds in kindness inclines [the scale of justice] towards the side of kindness." How does He do it? R. Eliezer said: "He presses on [the side containing the virtues], as it is said (Micah 7, 19) He will turn again. He will have compassion upon us, He will suppress our iniquities." R. Jose b. Chanina says: "He lifts up the scale of sins, as it is said (Ib. 18) He lifts up iniquity and forgiveth transgression."
תָּנָא דְּבֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל: מַעֲבִיר רִאשׁוֹן רִאשׁוֹן, וְכָךְ הִיא הַמִּדָּה. אָמַר רָבָא: וַעֲוֹן עַצְמוֹ אֵינוֹ נִמְחָק, דְּאִי אִיכָּא רוּבָּא עֲוֹנוֹת, מִיחְשִׁיב בַּהֲדַיְהוּ. אָמַר רָבָא: כָּל הַמַּעֲבִיר עַל מִדּוֹתָיו מַעֲבִירִין לוֹ עַל כָּל פְּשָׁעָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: "נֹשֵׂא עָוֹן וְעֹבֵר עַל פֶּשַׁע". לְמִי 'נוֹשֵׂא עָוֹן'? לְמִי שֶׁ'עוֹבֵר עַל פֶּשַׁע'. רַב הוּנָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב יְהוֹשֻׁעַ חָלַשׁ, עַל רַב פָּפָּא לְשִׁיּוּלֵי בֵּיהּ. חָזָא (דתקיף) [דְּחָלִישׁ] לֵיהּ עָלְמָא, אָמַר לְהוּ: עִיבִידוּ לֵיהּ זַוְדָתָא. לְסוֹף אִיתְּפַּח. הֲוָה קָא מִיכְסִיף רַב פָּפָּא לְמֶחֱזֵיהּ. אַמְרֵי לֵיהּ: מַאי חָזִית? אָמַר (ליה) [לְהוּ]: אִין, הָכִי הֲוָה! וְאָמַר לְהוּ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: הוֹאִיל וְלָא מוּקִים בְּמִילֵיהּ, לָא תּוּקְמוּ בַּהֲדֵיהּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שם) ("מי אל כמוך) "נֹשֵׂא עָוֹן" וְגוֹ' [לְמִי 'נוֹשֵׂא עָוֹן'? לְ'עֹבֵר עַל פֶּשַׁע' (שם) "לִשְׁאֵרִית נַחֲלָתוֹ"]. אָמַר רַבִּי אַחָא בַּר חֲנִינָא: אַלְיָה וְקוֹץ בָּהּ, "לִשְׁאֵרִית נַחֲלָתוֹ" וְלֹא לְכָל נַחֲלָתוֹ. לְמִי שֶׁמֵּשִׂים עַצְמוֹ כְּשִׁירַיִם. It was taught in the school of R. Ishmael that He pardons one sin after the other before they are put on the scales; and this is the divine custom." "Nevertheless," remarked Raba, "the sin itself is not blotted out, so that if one be found with more sins, this one is added to the rest." He who overlooks retaliation [does not insist on retaliation], all his transgressions will be pardoned; as it is said (Micah 7, 18) He pardoneth iniquity and forgiveth transgression. From whom does He remove iniquity? From him who forgiveth transgression [committed against him by his neighbor]. "R. Huna, the son of R. Joshua, fell sick, and R. Papa went to visit him. Observing that the patient was in a critical condition, he said to those present: "Make ready his provisions (shrouds)." Finally he recovered, and R. Papa was ashamed to see him. "Why did you consider him so sick?" said the family. "He was so, indeed," replied R. Papa, "but the Holy One, praised be He! said, that since he never insisted on retaliation, he shall therefore be forgiven," as it is said: "He pardoneth iniquity and forgiveth transgression." From whom does He remove in-friend's transgression." R. Acha b. Canina said: "The end of the passage is like a fat tail [that of an Arabian sheep] with a thorn [stuck] through it [that will stick those who lay hold of it.]" The remnant of His inheritance, and not all His inheritance; i.e., only those who conduct themselves (modestly) like a remnant.
יב "וַיַעֲבֹר ה' עַל פָּנָיו וַיִּקְרָא" (שמות לד). אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: אִלְמָלֵא מִקְרָא כָּתוּב, אִי־אֶפְשָׁר לְאָמְרוֹ, מְלַמֵּד שֶׁנִּתְעַטֵּף הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא כִּשְׁלִיחַ־צִבּוּר, וְהֶרְאָה לוֹ לְמֹשֶׁה סֵדֶר תְּפִלָּה. אָמַר לוֹ: כָּל זְמַן שֶׁיִּשְׂרָאֵל חוֹטְאִין, (לפני) יַעֲשׁוּ לְפָנַי כַּסֵּדֶר הַזֶּה, וַאֲנִי אֶמְחֹל לָהֶם עֲוֹנוֹתֵיהֶם. (שמות לד) "הַשֵּׁם הַשֵּׁם", אֲנִי הוּא קֹדֶם שֶׁיֶּחֱטָא אָדָם, אֲנִי הוּא לְאַחַר שֶׁיֶּחֱטָא אָדָם וְיַעֲשֶׁה תְּשׁוּבָה. "אֵ־ל רַחוּם וְחַנוּן, אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם וְרַב חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת". אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה: בְּרִית כְּרוּתָה לִשְׁלֹשׁ־עֶשְׂרֵה מִדּוֹת, שֶׁאֵינָן חוֹזְרוֹת רֵיקָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שם) "הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי כֹּרֵת בְּרִית" וְגוֹ'. אִילְפָא רָמִי, כְּתִיב: (שם) "וְרַב חֶסֶד", וּכְתִיב: (שם) "וֶאֱמֶת". בִּתְחִלָּה "אֱמֶת", וְלִבְסוֹף "וְרַב חֶסֶד". רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר רָמִי, כְּתִיב (תהלים סב) "וּלְךָ אֲדֹנָי חָסֶד", וּכְתִיב: (שם) "כִּי אַתָּה תְשַׁלֵּם לְאִישׁ כְּמַעֲשֵׂהוּ", בִּתְחִלָּה, "כִּי אַתָּה תְשַׁלֵּם לְאִישׁ כְּמַעֲשֵׂהוּ", וְלִבְסוֹף "וּלְךָ אֲדֹנָי חָסֶד". רַב הוּנָא רָמִי, כְּתִיב: (שם קמה) "צַדִּיק ה' בְּכָל דְּרָכָיו", וּכְתִיב: (שם) "וְחָסִיד בְּכָל מַעֲשָׂיו", בִּתְחִלָּה "צַדִּיק", וְלִבְסוֹף "חָסִיד". (16) (Ib. b) (Ex. 34, 6), And the Lord passed by before him and proclaimed. R. Jochanan said: "Had this passage not been written, it would have been impossible to think of it, for it teaches us that the Holy One, praised be He! wrapped Himself, as does a deputy of the congregation, while pointing out to Moses the regular order of prayer, and said to him: 'Whenever Israel sins, let them do [pray to Me], after this manner, and I shall pardon their sins.'" (Ib.) The Lord, the Lord; i.e., I am the same God before a man sins as I am after he sins and does repentance; a God, merciful and gracious. R. Juda said: "This means a solemn assurance was given that the invocation of the thirteen divine attributes will never be without effect, as it is said (Ib. 10) Behold I make a covenant." Ilpha pointed out a similar contradiction: "It is written (Ex. 34, 6) abundant in goodness; and in addition it is written, and truth. How can both harmonize? In the beginning [His attribute] is truth, but at the end it is goodness." R. Elazar points out a further contradiction: "It is written (Ps. 62, 18) Unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy; and again. Thou renderest to every man according to his work; i.e., in the beginning He rewards every man according to his works, but in the end He is merciful." R. Huna points out a contradiction: it is written (Ib. 145, 17) The Lord is just in all His ways; and it is also written (Ib.) and kind in all His deeds; i.e., in the beginning He is only just, but in the end He is kind."
יג אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: גְּדוֹלָה תְּשׁוּבָה, שֶׁמְּקָּרַעַת גְּזַר־דִּינוֹ שֶׁל אָדָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (ישעיהו ו׳:י׳) "הַשְׁמֵן לֵב הָעָם הַזֶּה [וְאָזְנָיו הַכְבֵּד, וְעֵינָיו הָשַׁע, פֶּן יִרְאֶה בְעֵינָיו, וּבְאָזְנָיו יִשְׁמָע, וּלְבָבוֹ יָבִין, וָשָׁב וְרָפָא לוֹ"]. אָמַר לֵיהּ רַב פָּפָּא לְאַבַּיֵי: וְדִלְמָא קֹדֶם גְּזַר־דִּין? אָמַר לֵיהּ: "וָשָׁב וְרָפָא לוֹ" כְּתִיב. אֵי־זֶהוּ דָּבָר שֶׁצָּרִיךְ רְפוּאָה? הֱוֵי אוֹמֵר: זֶה גְּזַר־דִּין. מֵיתִיבִי: הַשָּׁב בֵּינְתַיִם, מוֹחֲלִין לוֹ, לֹא שָׁב בֵּינְתַיִם, אֲפִלּוּ הֵבִיא כָּל אֵילֵי נְבָיוֹת שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם אֵין מוֹחֲלִין לוֹ. לָא קַשְׁיָא, הָא בְּיָחִיד, הָא בְּצִבּוּר. מֵיתִיבִי: (דברים י״א:י״ב) "תָּמִיד עֵינֵי ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ בָּהּ מֵרֵשִׁית" וְגוֹ'. עִתִּים לְטוֹבָה, וְעִתִּים לְרָעָה. 'עִתִּים לְטוֹבָה' כֵּיצַד? הֲרֵי שֶׁהָיוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל רְשָׁעִים גְּמוּרִים בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה, וּפָסְקוּ עֲלֵיהֶם גְּשָׁמִים מוּעָטִים, לְסוֹף, חָזְרוּ בָּהֶם, לְהוֹסִיף עֲלֵיהֶם אִי־אֶפְשָׁר שֶׁכְּבָר נִגְזְרָה גְּזֵרָה, אֶלָּא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מוֹרִידָן בִּזְמַנָּן, עַל הָאָרֶץ שֶׁצְּרִיכָה לָהֶם, הַכֹּל לְפִי הָאָרֶץ. 'עִתִּים לְרָעָה' כֵּיצַד? הֲרֵי שֶׁהָיוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל צַדִּיקִים גְּמוּרִים בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה, וּפָסְקוּ לָהֶם גְּשָׁמִים מְרֻבִּין, לְסוֹף, (סרחו) [חָזְרוּ]. לִפְחֹת מֵהֶן אִי־אֶפְשָׁר, שֶׁכְּבָר נִגְזְרָה גְּזֵרָה, אֶלָּא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מוֹרִידָן שֶׁלֹּא בִּזְמַנָּן, עַל הָאָרֶץ שֶׁאֵינָהּ צְרִיכָה לָהֶם. לְטוֹבָה מִיהָא, לִיקְרַע לִגְזַר־דִּינַיְהוּ, וְלוֹסִיף בְּהוּ! שַׁאנִי הָתָם, דְּאֶפְשָׁר בְּהָכִי. תָּא שְׁמַע: (תהילים ק״ז:כ״ג-כ״ד) "יוֹרְדֵי הַיָּם בָּאֳנִיּוֹת, עֹשֵׁי מְלָאכָה בְּמַיִם רַבִּים, הֵמָּה רָאוּ מַעֲשֵׂי ה' וְנִפְלְאוֹתָיו בִּמְצוּלָה, וַיֹּאמֶר וַיַּעֲמֵד רוּחַ סְעָרָה וְגוֹ', יַעֲלוּ שָׁמַיִם יֵרְדוּ תְהוֹמוֹת וְגוֹ', יָחוֹגּוּ וְיָנוּעוּ כַּשִּׁכּוֹר וְגוֹ', וַיִּצְעֲקוּ אֶל ה' בַּצַּר לָהֶם וְגוֹ', יוֹדוּ לַה' חַסְדּוֹ וְנִפְלְאוֹתָיו לִבְנֵי אָדָם". (הקדוש ברוך הוא) עָשָׂה לָהֶם סִמָּנִיּוֹת, כְּ'אַכִּין' וְ'רַקִּין' שֶׁבַּתּוֹרָה, לוֹמַר לְךָ: צָעֲקוּ קֹדֶם גְּזַר־דִּין, נַעֲנוּ. לְאַחַר גְּזַר־דִּין, לֹא נַעֲנוּ! הַנָּךְ נַמִּי, כִּיחִידִים דָּמוּ. (17) R. Jochanan said: "Repentance, is a great thing, for it tears (cancels) the [evil] decree against man; as it is said (Isa. 6, 10) Obdurate will remain the heart of this people, … nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their hearts, so that they repent and be healed." R. Papa asked Abayi: "Perhaps these last words have reference only to the time before the [evil] decree has been pronounced?" "It is written," replied the latter, "so that they repented and be healed. Which [is the state of a] thing [that] requires healing? I can only say that such on which judgment had already been pronounced." An objection was raised from the following Baraitha: He who repents during the interval [between New Year's Day and the Day of Atonement] is forgiven, but if he does not repent, even though he offered all the rams of Nebayoth (the best), he will not be forgiven. [Hence no judgment is canceled after it had been decreed.] This is not difficult to explain; the latter case refers to [the sins] of an individual, and the former refers to [those of] a community. An objection was raised from the following Baraitha: (Deut. 11, 12) The eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it, from the beginning, etc. In some instances the purpose is good, and sometimes it is harmful. How can this be explained? For instance, if Israel on the New Year [when judgment is passed] were found to be grossly wicked, it was decreed as punishment that very little rain fall for them; nevertheless, they later repented. What could be done in such case? The quantity of rain cannot be increased since the decree had already been issued by the Holy One, praised be He! therefore, He causeth the rain to come down at the proper time, whenever it is necessary for the sole benefit of the earth. As for the purpose to do harm. Suppose Israel was found to be perfectly righteous on the New Year; then sufficient rain was decreed them; but if in the end, they sinned, what could be done in such instance? The rain cannot be diminished, since plentiful rain had bean decreed previously. The Holy One, praised be He! however, causeth the rain to come not in the proper season, or on land where rain is not necessary. Now, [according to your opinion that for a community a decree might be changed], then why not annul the former decree, and have the amount of rain increased to its necessary amount? This here case is different, because it is possible to get along with a little amount of rain. Come, listen, from the following (Ps. 107, 23-28) They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters, these saw the works of the Lord … for He commanded, and raised the stormy wind, … they reeled to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, … then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distresses; oh, that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, etc. The Holy One, praised be He! here inserted words [to intimate limitations] like Achin or Rakin to indicate that if they cried [for mercy] before the decree was pronounced only then would they be answered; but if after [the decree], they are not answered. [Hence this statement contradicts the former?] Nay, for those on a ship are also considered as individuals. ...
תָּא שְׁמַע: שָׁאֲלָה בְּלוֹרְיָאה הַגִּיוֹרֶת אֶת רַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל, כָּתוּב בְּתוֹרַתְכֶם: (דברים י׳:י״ז) "אֲשֶׁר לֹא יִשָּׂא פָנִים וְלֹא יִקַּח שֹׁחַד", וּכְתִיב: (במדבר ו׳:כ״ו) "יִשָּׂא ה' פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ, וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם". נִטְפַּל לָהּ רַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַכֹּהֵן, אָמַר לָהּ: אֶמְשֹׁל לָךְ מָשָׁל לְמָה הַדָּבָר דּוֹמֶה: לְאָדָם שֶׁנּוֹשֶׁה בַּחֲבֵרוֹ מָנֶה, וְקָבַע לוֹ זְמַן בִּפְנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ, וְנִשְׁבַּע לוֹ בְּחַיֵּי הַמֶּלֶךְ. הִגִּיעַ זְמַן וְלֹא נָתַן לוֹ כְּלוּם, בָּא לְפַיֵּס אֶת הַמֶּלֶךְ, אָמַר לוֹ: עֶלְבּוֹנִי מָחוּל לְךָ, לֵךְ וּפַיֵּס אֶת חֲבֵרְךָ. אַף הָכָא נַמִּי, כָּאן בַּעֲבֵרוֹת שֶׁבֵּין אָדָם לַחֲבֵרוֹ, כָּאן בַּעֲבֵרוֹת שֶׁבֵּין אָדָם לַמָּקוֹם. עַד שֶׁבָּא רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא וְלִמֵּד: כָּאן קֹדֶם גְּזַר־דִּין, כָּאן לְאַחַר גְּזַר־דִּין! הָכָא נַמִּי בְּיָחִיד. וּגְזַר־דִּין דְּיָחִיד גּוּפֵיהּ, תַּנָּאֵי הִיא, דְּתַנְיָא: הָיָה רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: שְׁנַיִם שֶׁעוֹלִין לְמִטָּה וְחָלְיָן שָׁוֶה, וְכֵן שְׁנַיִם שֶׁעוֹלִין לַגַּרְדּוֹם לְדִּין, וְדִינָם שָׁוֶה, זֶה יָרַד וְזֶה לֹא יָרַד, זֶה נִצּוֹל וְזֶה לֹא נִצּוֹל, מִפְּנֵי מַה זֶּה יָרַד וְזֶה לֹא יָרַד? זֶה נִצּוֹל וְזֶה לֹא נִצּוֹל? זֶה הִתְפַּלֵּל וְנַעֲנָה, וְזֶה הִתְפַּלֵּל וְלֹא נַעֲנָה. וּמִפְּנֵי מַה זֶּה הִתְפַּלֵּל וְנַעֲנָה, וְזֶה הִתְפַּלֵּל וְלֹא נַעֲנָה? זֶה שֶׁהִתְפַּלֵּל תְּפִלָּה שְׁלֵמָה, נַעֲנָה, וְזֶה שֶׁלֹּא הִתְפַּלֵּל תְּפִלָּה שְׁלֵמָה, לֹא נַעֲנָה. רַבִּי (אֱלִיעֶזֶר) [אֶלְעָזָר] אוֹמֵר: כָּאן קֹדֶם גְּזַר־דִּין, כָּאן לְאַחַר גְּזַר־דִּין. רַבִּי יִצְחָק אוֹמֵר: יָפָה צְעָקָה לְאָדָם, בֵּין קֹדֶם גְּזַר־דִּין, בֵּין לְאַחַר גְּזַר־דִּין. וּגְזַר־דִּין דְּצִבּוּר, מִי מִקְרַע?! וְהָכְּתִיב: (ירמיהו ד׳:י״ד) "כַּבְּסִי מֵרָעָה לִבֵּךְ יְרוּשָׁלַםִ לְמַעַן" וְגוֹ'. וּכְתִיב: (שם ב) "כִּי אִם תְּכַבְּסִי בַּנֶּתֶר, וְתַרְבִּי לָךְ בֹּרִית" וְגוֹ'. מַאי לָאו, כָּאן, קֹדֶם גְּזַר־דִּין, כָּאן, לְאַחַר גְּזַר־דִּין? לֹא! אִידִי וְאִידִי לְאַחַר גְּזַר־דִּין, וְלָא קַשְׁיָא, כָּאן, בִּגְזַר־דִּין שֶׁיֵּשׁ עִמּוֹ שְׁבוּעָה, כָּאן, בִּגְזַר־דִּין שֶׁאֵין עִמּוֹ שְׁבוּעָה, כִּדְרַב שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר אַמִי, דְּאָמַר רַב שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר אַמִי, וְאַמְרֵי לָהּ: [אָמַר] רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחֲמָנִי, אָמַר רַבִּי (יוחנן) [יוֹנָתָן]: מִנַּיִן לִגְזַר־דִּין שֶׁיֵּשׁ עִמּוֹ שְׁבוּעָה, שֶׁאֵינוֹ מִתְקָרֵעַ? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שמואל־א ג) "וְלָכֵן נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי לְבֵית־עֵלִי, אִם יִתְכַּפֵּר עֲוֹן בֵּית־עֵלִי בְּזֶבַח וּבְמִנְחָה" וְגוֹ'. אָמַר (רבא) [רַבָּה]: "בְּזֶבַח וּבְמִנְחָה" אֵינוֹ מִתְכַּפֵּר, אֲבַל מִתְכַּפֵּר הוּא בְּדִבְרֵי תּוֹרָה. אַבַּיֵי אָמַר: "בְּזֶבַח וּבְמִנְחָה" אֵינוֹ מִתְכַּפֵּר, אֲבָל מִתְכַּפֵּר הוּא בְּתוֹרָה וּבִגְמִילוּת חֲסָדִים. כִּי הָא (דרבא) [דְרַבָּה] וְאַבַּיֵי, תַּרְוַויְהוּ מִדְּבֵית־עֵלִי קָאַתּוּ; (רבא) [רַבָּה] דְּעָסַק בַּתּוֹרָה, חַיִי אַרְבָּעִין שְׁנִין. אַבַּיֵי דְּעָסַק בַּתּוֹרָה וּבִגְמִילוּת חֲסָדִים, חַיִי שִׁתִּין שְׁנִין. תָּנוּ רַבָּנָן: מִשְׁפָּחָה אַחַת הָיְתָה בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם, שֶׁהָיוּ מֵתֶיהָ מֵתִים בְּנֵי שְׁמוֹנֶה עֶשְׁרֵה שָׁנָה, וּבָאוּ וְהוֹדִיעוּ אֶת רַבָּן יוֹחָנָן בֶּן זַכַּאי. אָמַר לָהֶם: שֶׁמָּא מִמִּשְׁפַּחַת בֵּית־עֵלִי אַתֶּם? דִּכְתִיב בֵּיהּ: (שמואל א ב׳:ל״ג-ל״ד) "וְכָל מַרְבִּית בֵּיתְךָ יָמוּתוּ אֲנָשִׁים". לְכוּ וְעִסְּקוּ בַּתּוֹרָה וִחְיוּ. הָלְכוּ וְעָסְקוּ בַּתּוֹרָה וְחָיוּ, וְהָיוּ קוֹרְאִין אוֹתָהּ, "מִשְׁפַּחַת [רַבָּן] יוֹחָנָן" עַל שְׁמוֹ. Come, listen. The proselyte Beluria asked Rabban Gamaliel: "It is written in your Torah (Deut. 17) The Lord who forgiveth no persons and taketh no bribe; and it is also written (Num. 6, 26) May the Lord forgive thee." R. Jose, the priest, attended her (Beluria) and said: "I will tell thee a parable. To what may this [your question] be likened? Unto one [a borrower] who lent money from his neighbor, set a time for its repayment in the presence of the king, and swore by the king's life [to repay it on time]. The time arrived, but he did not pay; and he came to appease the king. Said the king to him: 'I can forgive you only the offence against me, but I cannot forgive you the offence against your neighbor; go and ask him to forgive you.' So also here; in the one place it refers to sins committed by a man against his associate, but in the other it refers to sins committed by a man against the Lord." But when R. Akiba came he explained (Fol. 18) that one passage refers to the time before judgment is rendered, and the other to the time after. [Hence after judgment is rendered no chance is left for reversal of sentence]. Here also refers to an individual judgment. However, as to the sentence pronounced against an individual, the Tanaim differ; for we are taught in a Baraitha: "R. Meir used to say, of two men who fall sick of the same illness, or two who enter a tribunal [for judgment] on similar charges, one may recover, the other may not; one may be acquitted, the other may be condemned. Why should one recover and the other not; and why should one be acquitted but the other condemned? Because the one prayed and was answered, and the other prayed but was not answered. Why should one be answered while the other is not? The one prayed devoutly and was answered, the other did not pray devoutly and therefore was not answered." But R. Eliezer said: "Because one prayed before the decree was pronounced and the other after the decree was pronounced." R. Isaac said: "Prayer is helpful to man after, as well as before, the decree has been pronounced." And an evil decree pronounced against a congregation you say, is subject to canceling [through prayer]? Behold, it is written (Jer. 4, 14) O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, etc.; and it is also written (Ib 2, 22) For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet would the stain of thine iniquity remain before Me. Shall we not say in the one case it means before, and in the other after the sentence has been pronounced? Nay, both refer [to the time] after the decree has been pronounced. There is no contradiction, for in the latter case it refers to a sentence pronounced with an oath, and in the former case it refers to a sentence pronounced without an oath. As R. Samuel b. Ami, and according to others R. Samuel b. Nachmen, said in the name of R. Jochanan: "Whence do we know that a sentence, pronounced with an oath, cannot be annulled? From the following (I Sam. 3, 14) Therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not he expiated with sacrifice nor offering for ever." Raba, however, said: "This means that through sacrifices merely their sin cannot be expiated, but by [the study of] the Law it may be"; and Abayi said: With sacrifice and offering it cannot be expiated, but by [the study of] the Law, and by deeds of loving kindness, it can"; for he and Rabba [his teacher] were both descendants of the house of Eli [who were sentenced, as above; yet] Rabba, who only studied the Law, lived forty years, but Abayi, who both studied the Torah and performed acts of benevolence, lived sixty years. Our Rabbis were taught that there was a certain family in Jerusalem whose members died at eighteen years of age. They came and informed R. Jochanan b. Zakkai of their trouble. "Perhaps," said he, "you are descendants of Eli, of whom it is said (I Sam. 2, 33) All the increase of thy house shall die in the flower of their age? Go, then, study the Law, and live." They went and studied, and they did live; and they were called after his name, the family if Jochanan.
יד אָמַר רַב שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר אִינְיָא מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרַב: מִנַּיִן לִגְזַר־דִּין שֶׁל צִבּוּר שֶׁאֵינוֹ נֶחְתָּם? "שֶׁאֵינוֹ נֶחְתָּם"?! וְהָכְּתִיב: (ירמיהו ב׳:כ״ב) "נִכְתָּם עֲוֹנֵךְ לְפָנַי". אֶלָּא, מִנַּיִן שֶׁאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁנֶּחְתָּם, מִתְקָרֵעַ? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (דברים ד׳:ז׳) "כִּי מִי ה' אֱלֹהֵינוּ בְכָל קָרְאֵנוּ אֵלָיו". וְהָכְּתִיב: (ישעיהו נ״ה:ו׳) "דִּרְשׁוּ ה' בְּהִמָּצְאוֹ"? הָתָם בְּיָחִיד, הָכָא בְּצִבּוּר. וּבְיָחִיד אֵימַת? אָמַר (רב נחמן אמר) רַבָּה בַּר אֲבוּהָ: אֵלּוּ עֲשֶׂרֶת יָמִים, שֶׁמֵּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה וְעַד יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים. (שמואל־א כה) "וַיְהִי כַּעֲשֶׂרֶת הַיָּמִים, וַיִּגֹּף ה' אֶת נָבָל". "עֲשֶׂרֶת יָמִים", מַאי עָבִידְתַּיְהוּ? אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה, אָמַר רַב: כְּנֶגֶד עֶשֶׂר לְגִימוֹת, שֶׁנָּתַן נָבָל לְעַבְדֵי דָּוִד. (אמר) רַב נַחְמָן אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר אַבָּהוּ: (כנגד) [אֵלּוּ] עֲשֶׂרֶת יְמֵי תְּשׁוּבָה, שֶׁמֵּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה וְעַד יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים. (18) R. Samuel b. lnya said in the name of Rab: "Whence do we know that a decree against a community is not confirmed." Is that true? Behold, it is written (Jer. 2, 22) The stain of thy sin remains before Me. But this is what he meant: Whence do we know that a decree issued against a community, even if confirmed, may nevertheless be cancelled? From the passage (Deut. 4, 7) As the Lord, our God, in all things that we call upon Him for. But it is also written (Isa. 55, 6) Seek ye the Lord while He may be found. Hence, is there a difference? The latter passage refers to an individual, the former to a community. When is the proper time for an individual [to repent]? R. Nachman, in the name of Rabba b. Abahu, said: "The ten days of repentence, between New Year's Day and the Day of Atonement." (I Sam. 25, 38) And it came to pass, in about ten days thereafter, that the Lord smote Nabal. What is the reason for the ten days' waiting? R. Juda, in the name of Rab, said: "It corresponds to the ten meals which Nabal gave to David's servants." And R. Nachman, in the name of Rab, said: "This refers to the ten days of penitence [given to Nabal in which to repent]."
טו פִּסְקָא. בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה כָּל בָּאֵי עוֹלָם וְכוּ'. מַאי 'כִּבְנֵי מָרוֹן'? הָכָא תַּרְגִּימוּ,כִּבְנֵי אִימְרָנָא. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ אָמַר: כְּמַעֲלוֹת בֵּית (חורון) [מָרוֹן]. [אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה, אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: כְּחַיָּלוֹת שֶׁל בֵּית דָּוִד. אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חַנָּה, אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: וְכֻלָּן נִסְקָרִין בִּסְקִירָה אַחַת. אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק: אַף אַנָן נַמִּי תְּנִינָן: (תהילים ל״ג:ט״ו) "הַיֹצֵר יַחַד לִבָּם, הַמֵּבִין אֶל כָּל מַעֲשֵׂיהֶם". מַאי קָאָמַר? אִילֵימָא דְּהָכִי קָאָמַר: דְּבָרִינְהוּ לְכוּלֵי עָלְמָא לְלִיבַּיְהוּ מְיַחֵד כִּי הֲדָדֵי, הָא קָא חַזִינָן דְּלָאו הָכִי [הוּא!] אֶלָּא הָכִי קָאָמַר: הַיֹּצֵר רוֹאֶה יַחַד לִבָּם, וְהוּא מֵבִין אֶל כָּל מַעֲשֵׂיהֶם. (19) On New Year's Day all the inhabitants of the world pass before Him, Kibne Maron. What is the meaning of Kibne Maron? Here (in Babylonia) they translated it "like sheep." But Resh Lakish said: "The meaning is, as the steps of the Temple (i.e., narrow, so that people ascended them one by one)." R. Juda, however, in the name of Samuel, explained it: "Like the armies of the house of David [which were numbered one by one]." "Nevertheless," said Rabba b. b. Ghana, in the name of R. Jochanan, "they are all reviewed with one glance." R. Nachman b. Isaac said: "Our Mishnah also teaches us so, since it makes the inference from the passage (Ps. 33, 15) He that fashioned all their hearts alike. What does that mean? Shall we assume that it means, He created every heart alike in inclination? We see that it is not so. We must, therefore, say that it means. The Creator sees all their hearts [at one glance] and [at once] understands all their works."
טז מִשְׁנָה. עַל שִׁשָּׁה חֳדָשִׁים שְׁלוּחִין יוֹצְאִין: [עַל נִיסָן, מִפְּנֵי הַפֶּסַח, עַל אָב, מִפְּנֵי הַתַּעֲנִית, עַל אֱלוּל, מִפְּנֵי רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה. עַל תִּשְׁרֵי, מִפְּנֵי תַּקָּנַת הַמּוֹעֲדוֹת. עַל כִּסְלֵו, מִפְּנֵי חֲנֻכָּה. עַל אֲדָר, מִפְּנֵי הַפּוּרִים. וּכְשֶׁהָיָה בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ קַיָּם, יוֹצְאִים אַף עַל אִיָּר, מִפְּנֵי פֶּסַח קָטָן. גְּמָרָא]. וְלֵיפּוֹק נַמִּי אַ'תַּמּוּז' וְאַ'טֵבֵת'! דְּאָמַר רַב חַנָּא בַּר בִּיזְנָא, אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן חַסִּידָא: מַאי דִּכְתִיב: (זכריה ח׳:י״ט) "כֹּה אָמַר ה' צְבָאוֹת: צוֹם הָרְבִיעִי, וְצוֹם הַחֲמִישִׁי, וְצוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי, וְצוֹם הָעֲשִׂירִי, יִהְיֶה לְבֵית יְהוּדָה לְשָׂשׂוֹן וּלְשִׂמְחָה" וְגוֹ'. קָרִי לְהוּ 'צוֹם' וְקָרִי לְהוּ: 'שָׂשׂוֹן וְשִׂמְחָה'? אֶלָּא לָאו הָכִי קָאָמַר: בִּזְמַן שֶׁיֵּשׁ שָׁלוֹם, יִהְיֶה 'לְשָׂשׂוֹן וּלְשִׂמְחָה', אֵין שָׁלוֹם, 'צוֹם'! אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: הָכִי קָאָמַר: בִּזְמַן שֶׁיֵּשׁ שָׁלוֹם, יִהְיֶה 'לְשָׂשׂוֹן וּלְשִׂמְחָה'. יֵשׁ גְּזֵרָה, 'צוֹם', אֵין גְּזֵרָה וְאֵין שָׁלוֹם, רָצוּ, מִתְעַנִּין, רָצוּ, אֵין מִתְעַנִּין. אִי הָכִי, תִּשְׁעָה־בְּאָב נַמִּי! אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: שַׁאנִי תִּשְׁעָה־ בְּאָב, הוֹאִיל וְהֻכְפְּלוּ בּוֹ צָרוֹת, דְּאָמַר מַר: בְּתִשְׁעָה־בְּאָב חָרַב הַבַּיִת בָּרִאשׁוֹנָה וּבַשְּׁנִיָּה, וְנִלְכְּדָה בֵּיתָר, וְנֶחְרְשָׁה הָעִיר. (20) MISHNAH: For the proclamation of six New Moon days, messengers are sent out: for Nissan, on account of the Passover; for Ab, on account of the fast (ninth of Ab); for Elul, on account of New Year's; for Tishri, in order to arrange the dates of the [remaining] festivals; for Kislev, on account of Chanukah (the Feast of Maccabees); for Adar, on account of the Feast of Purim (the Feast of Esther). (21) GEMARA: Why were they not also sent out for Tamuz and Tebheth [for the fasts]? (Ib. b) Did not R. Ghana b. Bizna say, in the name of R. Simon, the pious: "What is the meaning of the passage (Zach. 8, 19) Thus saith the Lord of hosts; the fast of the fourth, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth shall become in the house of Judah joy and gladness, etc.; i.e., they are called fasts, and also days of joy and gladness! We must therefore say that in peaceful times they shall be for joy and gladness, but, when there is no peace, they shall be fasts." [Hence they were always observed] "This is the meaning," said R. Papa, "when there is peace, these days should be for joy and gladness; in the time of persecution they shall be fasts; at times when there are neither persecutions nor peace, people may or may not fast, as they see fit." If that is so, why then [should messengers have been sent out] on account of the fast of Ab (during peaceful times)? "The fast [ninth day] of Ab is different," explained R. Papa, "since many misfortunes occurred on that day; as the master said: 'On the ninth of Ab, the first and second Temples were destroyed, Bether was captured, and the city of Jerusalem was razed to the ground.' "
יז תַּנְיָא, (רבי שמעון בן יוחאי אומר:) [אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן:] אַרְבָּעָה דְּבָרִים הָיָה רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא דּוֹרֵשׁ, וְאֵין אֲנִי דּוֹרֵשׁ כְּמוֹתוֹ; (וזה אחד מהן:) "צוֹם הָרְבִיעִי" זֶה (שבעה עשר) [תִּשְׁעָה] בְּתַמּוּז, שֶׁבּוֹ הָבְקְעָה הָעִיר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (ירמיהו נ״ב:ו׳) "בַּחֹדֶשׁ הָרְבִיעִי, בְּתִשְׁעָה לַחֹדֶשׁ, וַיֶּחֱזַק הָרָעָב בָּעִיר". וּכְתִיב: (שם) "וַתִּבָּקַע הָעִיר (ותניא: בראשונה, בתשעה לחדש, ובשניה בשבעה עשר לחדש) אַמַּאי קָרוּ לֵיהּ: "רְבִיעִי"? רְבִיעִי לָחֳדָשִׁים. "צוֹם הַחֲמִישִׁי" זֶה תִּשְׁעָה־בְּאָב, שֶׁבּוֹ נִשְׂרַף בֵּית אֱלֹהֵינוּ. אַמַּאי קָרוּ לֵיהּ: "חֲמִישִׁי"? חֲמִישִׁי לָחֳדָשִׁים. "צוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי" זֶה שְׁלֹשָׁה בְּתִשְׁרֵי, שֶׁבּוֹ נֶהֱרַג גְּדַלְיָה בֶּן אֲחִיקָם, וּמִי הֲרָגוֹ? יִשְׁמָעֵאל בֶּן נְתַנְיָה הֲרָגוֹ. לְלַמֶּדְךָ, שֶׁשְּׁקוּלָה מִיתָתָן שֶׁל צַדִּיקִים כִּשְׂרֵפַת בֵּית אֱלֹהֵינוּ. אַמַּאי קָרוּ לֵיהּ "שְׁבִיעִי"? שְׁבִיעִי לָחֳדָשִׁים. "צוֹם הָעֲשִׂירִי" זֶה עֲשָׂרָה בְּטֵבֵת, שֶׁבּוֹ סָמַךְ מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל עַל יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (יחזקאל כ״ד:א׳-ב׳) "וַיְהִי דְּבַר ה' אֵלַי בַּשָּׁנָה הַתְּשִׁיעִית, בַּחֹדֶשׁ הָעֲשִׂירִי, בֶּעָשׂוֹר לַחֹדֶשׁ לֵאמֹר". וּכְתִיב: (יחזקאל כ״ד:א׳-ב׳) "בֶּן אָדָם, כְּתָב לְךָ אֶת שֵׁם הַיּוֹם, אֶת עֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, סָמַךְ מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל אֶל יְרוּשָׁלַיִם". וְאַמַּאי קָרִי לֵיהּ "עֲשִׂירִי"? עֲשִׂירִי לָחֳדָשִׁים, וַהֲלֹא הָיָה רָאוּי זֶה לִכָּתֵב רִאשׁוֹן, וְלָמָּה נִכְתַּב כָּאן? כְּדֵי לְהַסְדִּיר חֳדָשִׁים כְּתִקְנָן. וַאֲנִי אֵינִי אוֹמֵר כֵּן, אֶלָּא, "צוֹם הָעֲשִׂירִי" זֶה חֲמִשָּׁה בְּטֵבֵת, שֶׁבּוֹ בָּאת שְׁמוּעָה לַגּוֹלָה שֶׁהֻכְּתָה הָעִיר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שם לג) "וַיְהִי בִּשְׁתֵּי עֶשְׁרֵה שָׁנָה בָּעֲשִׂרִי בַּחֲמִשָּׁה לַחֹדֶשׁ, לְגָלוּתֵנוּ, בָּא אֵלַי הַפָּלִיט מִירוּשָׁלַיִם לֵאמֹר: הֻכְּתָה הָעִיר". וְעָשׂוּ 'יוֹם־שְׁמוּעָה' כְּ'יוֹם־שְׂרֵפָה'. וְנִרְאִין דְּבָרַי מִדְּבָרָיו, שֶׁאֲנִי אוֹמֵר עַל רִאשׁוֹן רִאשׁוֹן וְעַל אַחֲרוֹן אַחֲרוֹן. וְהוּא אוֹמֵר עַל אַחֲרוֹן רִאשׁוֹן וְעַל רִאשׁוֹן אַחֲרוֹן. (ועוד, שאני מונה לסדר פורעניות ולסדר חדשים, והוא אינו מונה אלא לסדר חדשים בלבד) [אֶלָּא, שֶׁהוּא מוֹנֶה לְסֵדֶר חֳדָשִׁים, וַאֲנִי מוֹנֶה לְסֵדֶר פֻּרְעָנֻיּוֹת]. (22) We are taught in a Baraitha, R. Simeon b. Jochai said: "There are four matters that R. Akiba expounded, but which I interpret differently. The fast of the fourth, means the seventeenth of Tamuz, on which the city was broken in; as it is said (Jer. 52, 6, 7) In the fourth month, in the ninth when the famine was severe, and further it is written, The city was broken. And why is it called the fourth? Because it is the fourth month. The fast of the fifth, means the ninth of Ab, on which the Temple of our Lord was burnt. And why is it called the fifth? Because it is the fifth month. The fast of day on which Gedaliah, the son of Achikam, was slain. Who killed him? Ishmael ben Nethania murdered him. This is to teach that the death of the righteous is equal to the loss of the house of our Lord. And why is it called the seventh? Because it happened in the seventh mouth. The fast of the tenth, means the tenth of Tebeth, the day on which the king of Babylon set himself against Jerusalem. As it is said (Ezek. 24, 1, 2) And the word of the Lord came unto me in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, saying: Son of man, write thee the name of the day, even of this self-same day. This selfsame day the king of Babylon set himself against Jerusalem. And why is it called the tenth? Because it occurred in the tenth month. Actually this last event should have been placed first [since it occurred first]; but why is it placed last? In order to mention the months in their regular order. [This is the opinion of R. Akiba.] I, however, do not think so; but that the fast of the tenth refers to the fifth of Tebeth, on which day the news came to the exiles that the city was smitten; as it is said (Ezek. 33, 21) And it came to pass on the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth (month), in the fifth day of the month, that one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came to me, saying, 'The city is smitten.' They considered the day on which they received the news equal to the day [on which the Temple] was burnt. And I prefer my opinion, for I explain the first, first, and the last, last; while he explains the last, first and the first, last. Again, while I mention them in accordance with both, the order of the occurrences, as well as the order of the months, he mentions them only in accordance with the order of the months."
יח כָּתוּב בִּמְגִלַּת תַּעֲנִית: בִּתְלָתָא בְּתִשְׁרֵי בְּטֵילַת אַדְכַּרְתָּא מִן שְׁטָרַיָּא, שֶׁפַּעַם אַחַת גָּזְרָה מַלְכוּת יָוָן הָרְשָׁעָה גְּזֵרָה עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁלֹּא לְהַזְכִּיר שֵׁם שָׁמַיִם עַל פִּיהֶם. וּכְשֶׁגָּבְרָה מַלְכוּת בֵּית חַשְׁמוֹנַאי וְנִצְּחוּם, הִתְקִינוּ, שֶׁיְּהוּ מַזְכִּירִין שֵׁם שָׁמַיִם, וַאֲפִלּוּ בִּשְׁטָרוֹת. וְכָךְ הָיוּ מוֹנִין: בִּשְׁנַת כָּךְ וְכָךְ לְיוֹחָנָן כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל, שֶׁהוּא כֹּהֵן לְאֵל־עֶלְיוֹן. וּכְשֶׁשָּׁמְעוּ חֲכָמִים בַּדָּבָר, אָמְרוּ: לְמָחָר פּוֹרֵעַ זֶה אֶת חוֹבוֹ, וְנִמְצָא שְׁטָר מֻטָּל בַּאַשְׁפָּה, וּבִטְּלוּם, וְאוֹתוֹ יוֹם עֲשָׂאוּהוּ יוֹם טוֹב.
יט בְּעֶשְׂרִין וּתְמַנְיָא בַּאֲדָר אָתָא בְּשׂוֹרְתָּא טַבְתָּא לִיהוּדָאֵי, דְּלָא יְעִידוּן מִן אוֹרַיְתָא, שֶׁפַּעַם אַחַת גָּזְרָה מַלְכוּת הָרְשָׁעָה גְּזֵרָה עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל, אשתשר שֶׁלֹּא יַעַסְקוּ בַּתּוֹרָה, וְשֶׁלֹּא יָמוּלוּ אֶת בְּנֵיהֶם, וְשֶׁיְּחַלְּלוּ שַׁבָּת. מֶה עָשָׁה יְהוּדָה בֶּן שַׁמּוּעַ וַחֲבֵרָיו? הָלְכוּ וְנָטְלוּ עֵצָה מִמַּטְרוֹנִיתָא אַחַת, שֶׁכָּל גְּדוֹלֵי רוֹמִי מְצוּיִין אֶצְלָהּ. אָמְרָה לָהֶם: בּוֹאוּ וְהַפְגִּינוּ בַּלַּיְלָה. הָלְכוּ וְהִפְגִּינוּ בַּלַּיְלָה, אָמְרוּ: אִי־שָׁמַיִם, לֹא אֲחֵיכֶם אֲנַחְנוּ? לֹא בְּנֵי אָב אֶחָד אֲנַחְנוּ? וְלֹא בְּנֵי אֵם אַחַת אֲנַחְנוּ? מַה נִּשְׁתַּנֵּינוּ מִכָּל אֻמָּה וְלָשׁוֹן, שֶׁאַתֶּם גּוֹזְרִין עָלֵינוּ גְּזֵרוֹת קָשׁוֹת? וּבִטְּלוּם, וְאוֹתוֹ יוֹם עֲשָׂאוּהוּ יוֹם טוֹב. (23) (Fol. 19) On the twenty-eighth of Adar, the good news came to the Jews that they need no longer abstain from studying the Law, for the king [of Syria had earlier] issued a decree, permitting them neither to study the Law, nor to circumcise their sons, and compelling them to desecrate the Sabbath. What did Juda b. Shamua and his friends do? They went and took counsel of a certain matron, whose house the celebrated people of the city frequented. She said to them: "Go and cry aloud at night." They did as she advised and cried aloud: "Oh, heavens! Are we not all brethren? Are we not all the children of one Father? Are we not aU the children of one mother? Why should we be treated differently from all other nations, and from all other peoples speaking other language, inasmuch as ye issue such cruel edicts against us?" Whereupon the decrees were annulled, and that day was then appointed a holiday.
כ כְּתִיב: (תהילים י״ב:ז׳) "אִמְרוֹת ה' אֲמָרוֹת טְהֹרוֹת, כֶּסֶף צָרוּף בַּעֲלִיל לָאָרֶץ, מְזֻקָּק שִׁבְעָתָיִם". רַב וּשְׁמוּאֵל, חַד אָמַר: חֲמִשִּׁים שַׁעֲרֵי בִּינָה נִבְרְאוּ בָּעוֹלָם, וְכֻלָּם נִתְּנוּ לְמֹשֶׁה, (בסיני) חָסֵר אַחַת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (שם ח) "וַתְּחַסְּרֵהוּ מְעַט מֵאֱלֹהִים". בִּקֵּשׁ קֹהֶלֶת לִהְיוֹת כְּמֹשֶׁה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: (קהלת י״ב:י׳) "בִּקֵּשׁ קֹהֶלֶת לִמְצֹא דִּבְרֵי חֵפֶץ". יָצְתָה בַּת־קוֹל וְאָמְרָה לוֹ: "וְכָתוּב יֹשֶׁר דִּבְרֵי אֱמֶת". (דברים ל״ד:י׳) "וְלֹא קָם נָבִיא עוֹד בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל כְּמֹשֶׁה". וְחַד אָמַר: בַּנְּבִיאִים לֹא קָם, אֲבָל בַּמְּלָכִים קָם! אֶלָּא מָה אֲנִי מְקַיֵּם, "בִּקֵּשׁ קֹהֶלֶת לִמְצֹא דִּבְרֵי חֵפֶץ"? בִּקֵּשׁ קֹהֶלֶת לָדוּן דִּינִין שֶׁבַּלֵּב, שֶׁלֹּא בְּעֵדִים וְשֶׁלֹּא בְּהַתְרָאָה, יָצְתָה בַּת־קוֹל וְאָמְרָה לוֹ: "וְכָתוּב יֹשֶׁר דִּבְרֵי אֱמֶת". (שם יז) "עַל פִּי שְׁנַיִם עֵדִים אוֹ שְׁלֹשָׁה עֵדִים יָקוּם דָּבָר". (24) (Fol. 21b) It is written (Ps. 12, 7) The words of the Lord are pure words, as silver refined in the crucible of earth, purified seven times. Rab and Samuel both explain it. One says: Fifty gates of wisdom were created in the world and all but one were given unto Moses on Mount Sinai; as it is said (Ib. 8, 6) Yet Thou hast made him but a little less than angels. Koheleth (Solomon) desired to resemble Moses, as it is said (Ecc. 12, 10) Koheleth sought to find out acceptable words. Thereupon a Bath Kol (heavenly voice) went forth and said unto him (Ib.) "And that which was written uprightly, even words of truth; referring to (Deut. 34, 10) And there arose not a prophet since then in Israel, like unto Moses." And the other one explains it to have this meaning: Among prophets, indeed, none did arise; but among kings, like Solomon, [prophets like Moses] did arise. But how will the latter explain the above passage? Koheleth sought to find out acceptable words. This means that Koheleth sought to enforce decrees without the aid of witnesses or warning. Whereupon a heavenly voice was heard, saying (Ecc. 12, 10) And that which was written uprightly, even words of truth; i.e., [where it is written] (Deut. 17, 6) Upon the evidence of two witnesses, etc., must a case be established. ...