Rebbi Akiva insisted to use the water for Netilas Yadayim rather than for drinking. How is one allowed to endanger his life for a Mitzva Derabanan?
The Gemara tells us elsewhere that Dovid Hamelech was punished for referring to the Torah as ‘Zemiros’; whereas in our Gemara we find Torah referred to as ‘Shira’ (Vayehi shiro)– what is the difference between these two terms?
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Today’s Daf Yomi Question:
Rebbi Akiva insisted to use the water for Netilas Yadayim rather than for drinking. How is one allowed to endanger his life for a Mitzva Derabanan?
The Gemara tells us elsewhere that Dovid Hamelech was punished for referring to the Torah as ‘Zemiros’; whereas in our Gemara we find Torah referred to as ‘Shira’ (Vayehi shiro)– what is the difference between these two terms?
If a person is on worthy, Hashem grants his desires, without him needing to ask for them. We learn elsewhere that Tefillah is an end in itself, not merely a means of acquiring needs (there are needs in order to necessitate Tefillah) – so why is precluding the need to ask considered something advantageous?
Click here to view text of Daf (can be minimized alongside player)
Play Audio Only Download Audio Download Video
Today’s Daf Yomi Question:
If a person is worthy, Hashem grants his desires, without him needing to ask for them. We learn elsewhere that Tefillah is an end in itself, not merely a means of acquiring needs (there are needs in order to necessitate Tefillah) – so why is precluding the need to ask considered something advantageous?
The Gemara begins by enquiring the source of the opening statement of the Mishnah, and challenging the choice of language used by the Tana who beging with ‘meimasai’ (from what time do we recite Shema) without first teaching us anything about this obligation. The Gemara concludes that it is derived from the passuk ‘uveshachbecha uvekumecha’. Why should we expect this Mishnah to be different from everywhere else in Mishnah where the Tana never discusses the basic Halachos and their sources, but rather comes to elaborate and expand on what is already known from the Torah (see Ramba”m Pirush Mishmayos Brachos who states that the Mishnah will never discuss basic halachos found openly in the Torah)?
The Gemara relates how Benayahu ben Yehoyada studied the entire “Sifra D’bei Rav” in one short winter day, which Rashi explains as being Toras Kohanim. Since Benayahu lived during the first Beis Hamikdash, how could he have possibly learned Toras Kohanim which are Breisos compiled by the Tanaim generations later?
