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Tagged with tannaim agada-stories-legends
8 questions
4
votes
2
answers
327
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Examples of the sages in the Talmud going above and beyond in kindness
What are some examples in the Talmud where it tells a story of one of the sages from the time of the Mishna or Gemara showing exceptional kindness that could be a good example to other people?
For ...
- 1,484
3
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Why did the R' Akiva marry the wife of Tyrannus Rufus?
The gemara in Avodah zara 20a brings a Baraisa that says,
ואף רבי עקיבא ראה אשת טורנוסרופוס הרשע רק שחק ובכה רק שהיתה באה מטיפה
סרוחה שחק
דעתידה דמגיירא ונסיב לה בכה דהאי שופרא בלי עפרא
We know that ...
- 2,811
4
votes
1
answer
271
views
When exactly did Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus die?
In Moed Qatan 27a, a difference of opinion is brought between Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Yehoshua as regards the point at which mourners need to overturn their beds. The case is brought of Rabban Gamliel ...
- 19.1k
15
votes
4
answers
625
views
Why was שמאי holding a ruler?
The Bavli, Shabas 31 amud 1, has two stories in which a gentile came to Shamay asking to be converted to Judaism, upon which Shamay "pushed him with the construction cubit in his hand". Rashi explains ...
- 73.9k
7
votes
2
answers
146
views
Why did R' Yochanan ben Zakkai ask for multiple things?
In Gittin 56b there is a conversation between Vespasian and R' Yochanan ben Zakkai. Vespasian offers to grant a wish of R' Yochanan's
אלא בעי מינאי מידי דאתן לך
R' Yochanan proceeds to ask for 3 ...
4
votes
1
answer
627
views
Story of Rabbi Who Burned Out His Eyes
I once heard a story about a rabbi who was given a test by God, in which the Satan was sent in the form of a beautiful woman to entice him. He would not look at the Satan, and when pressed, he had one ...
- 8,320
6
votes
1
answer
1k
views
why was R. Eliezer ben Hyrcanus excommunicated?
Bava Metzia 59b says that at the end of the episode of the Oven of Akhnai, Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus was excommunicated. (Apparently there's a makhloket about whether this was nidui or cherem.)
The ...
4
votes
1
answer
137
views
Which Tana said the shem hafemorash and why?
I remember learning a gemarah (midrash?) that one of the tanaim (possibly R' Chanina [ben Dosa]) said the shem hameforash explicitly. Can you source this story and explain why the shem hameforash was ...
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