📖 SATURDAY PRAYER: BINAH-YESHIVAT HAVERIM יְשִׁיבָה חברים – BABYLONIAN TALMUD p164

READING: BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND DAWN OF SATURDAY

R. Hananel b. Papa said: It is written [Proverbs, viii. 6]. “Hear! for of noble things will I speak.”
Why are the words of the Torah compared to a noble? To inform us that inasmuch as a noble has
in his power the disposal over life and death, so have also the words of the Torah. This is similar
to what Rabha said: To those who walk in the right ways of the law, it is an elixir of life, but to
those who pursue not the right way, it is the poison of death.
R. Jehoshua b. Levi said: It is written [Solomon’s Song, i. 12]: “A bundle of myrrh is my friend
unto me, that resteth on my bosom.” Said the Congregation of Israel: “Lord of the Universe!
Although my friend chastiseth 1 me, still he resteth on my bosom!”
The same rabbi said: “It is written [Solomon’s Song, v. 13]: “His cheeks are as a bed of spices,
as turrets of sweet perfumes.” Every word emanating from the Holy One, blessed be He, fills the
whole world with the aroma of spices. If the world was filled with the aroma arising from the
first word, where could the second word go? The Holy One, blessed be He, sent forth a wind
from His store, which cleared off the aroma of each word, as it is written [ibid.]: “His lips like
lilies, dropping with fluid myrrh.” Do not read Shoshanim (lilies) but Sheshonim (learned men).
The same said again that from each word which came from the Holy One, blessed be He, the
soul of Israel was going out, as it is written [ibid., ibid. 6]: “My soul had failed me while he was
speaking.” But the Holy One, blessed be He, has let down the dew with which He will in the
future make the resurrection and bring them to life; as it is written [Psalms, lxviii. 10]: “Rain of
beneficence didst thou pour down, O God!”
He also said: When Moses ascended into Heaven, said the angels before the Holy One, blessed
be He, “Lord of the Universe! What has one born of a woman to do among us?”
The Lord answered: “He came to receive the Torah.” Said the angels again: “Wouldst Thou give
a precious thing that Thou hast preserved since nine hundred and seventy-four generations
before the creation of the world to a being of flesh and blood? (It is written [Psalms, viii. 5]):
What is the mortal, that thou rememberest him? and the son of man, that thou thinkest of him?”
Said the Holy One, blessed be He, unto
[paragraph continues] Moses: “Give thou them an answer!” Answered Moses before the Lord: “Lord
of the Universe! What is written in the law, which Thou gavest unto me?” [Ex. xx. 2]. “I am the
Lord, thy God, who have brought thee out of the land of Egypt.” Moses then said to the angels:
Were ye in Egypt? Have ye served Pharaoh? Of what use can the Torah be unto you? Further,
what is written in the Torah [ibid. 3]: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Are ye among
the nations that worship idols? And furthermore, what is written in the Torah? [ibid. 8]:
“Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” Do ye any labor on the week-days? [Ibid. 7]:
“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.” Are ye merchants, that ye must
swear? [Ibid. 13]: “Honor thy father and thy mother.” Have ye fathers and mothers to honor?
[Ibid. 12]: “Thou shalt not kill,” etc. Is there any jealousy among you? Have ye any evil intent?