Sunday, March 11, 2007

Daf Yomi - Megillah 29 - Highlights

It is written [Yechezkel 11:16]: Yet will I be to them as a minor sanctuary. Rabbi Yitzchak said: This is referring to the houses of prayer and Torah study that are in Bavel. Rabbi Elozar said: This is referring specifically to the house of Rav. (29a)

Abaye said: I initially studied Torah at home, and prayed at the house of prayer; but when I heard later that which David Hamelech said in Tehillim [26:8]: Hashem, I love the site of Your house, I went to study also in the house of prayer. (29a)

Rabbi Elozar Hakappar said: The houses of prayer and Torah study which are at present in Bavel will in the future be established in Eretz Yisroel. (29a)

The Mishna had stated: One is forbidden from using a synagogue as a shortcut. Rabbi Avahu qualifies this ruling: If the place where the synagogue was built was originally a path, it will be permitted to use the synagogue as a shortcut and it is not considered disrespectful.

Rabbi Nachman bar Yitzchak qualifies the ruling as well: If one initially entered the synagogue with the intention of staying there a while and afterwards changed his mind, he may exit through the other door (effectively using the synagogue as a shortcut) and it is not considered disrespectful.

Rabbi Chelbo says in the name of Rav Huna: If one entered the synagogue in order to pray there, he may exit through the opposite door. (Some Rishonim learn that by doing so, it is a sign that the synagogue is cherished by him.) (29a)

The following Mishna and Gemora will discuss the four special Torah readings in the weeks preceding the festival of Pesach.

The Mishna states: If Rosh Chodesh Adar falls out on Shabbos, Parshas Shekalim (the portion in the Torah referring to the collection of the coins for the new korbanos) is read on that Shabbos. If Rosh Chodesh Adar falls out during the week, Parshas Shekalim is read on the Shabbos preceding Rosh Chodesh. If the second scenario happens, there will be no special portion read on the following week. The following Shabbos, Parshas Zochor (the portion in the Torah referring to the mitzva of remembering what Amalek did to us – it is read then to be adjacent to Purim, connecting the erasing of Amalek to the erasing of Haman) is read. The following Shabbos, Parshas Parah (the portion in the Torah referring to the warning of ensuring that the korban Pesach will be performed in purity) is read. The following Shabbos, Parshas HaChodesh (the portion in the Torah referring to the korban Pesach) is read. On the following Shabbos, we resume the regular order of the Torah readings.

We would interrupt the regular order of the Torah readings for all festivals, Rosh Chodesh, Chanukah, Purim, fast days, Ma’amados and on Yom Kippur. (29a)

The Gemora cites a Mishna in Shekalim: On the first of Adar proclamation is made regarding the shekalim and kelayim (the prohibition against planting together different species of vegetables, fruit or seeds – the proclamation serves as a warning to uproot any shoots of other seeds that appear among the grain).

The Gemora asks: It is understandable to proclaim on the first of Adar regarding kelayim because it is the conclusion of the time of planting; but why did they proclaim at this time regarding the shekalim?

The Gemora answers: There is a verse which teaches us that every Nissan, they would start to purchase animals for the korbanos from the donated shekalim. This is why it was announced a month before to bring the shekalim. (29a – 29b)

The Gemora cites a dispute between Rav and Shmuel as to the content of Parshas Shekalim.

The Gemora discusses how to read Parshas Shekalim when Rosh Chodesh Adar falls out on a Shabbos whose regular Torah portion is close to the Shekalim portion. (29b)

Rabbi Yitzchak Nafcha describes the proper procedure for reading the Torah on Rosh Chodesh Adar that falls out on Shabbos, according to Shmuel, who maintains that Parshas Ki Sisa is read for Shekalim.

Rabbi Yitzchak Nafcha also describes the proper procedure for reading the Torah on Rosh Chodesh Teves that falls out on Shabbos, which is also Chanukah. (29b)

The Gemora cites a dispute among the Amoraim as to what is regarded as the primary reading of the Torah on Rosh Chodesh that is also Chanukah. (29b)

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